Kitchen Stories
Director Bent Hamer's comedy drama Salmer Fra Kjøkkenet (Kitchen Stories) is based on the real-life social experiments conducted in Sweden during the 1950s. In the years following WWII, a research institute sets out to modernize the home kitchen by observing a handful of rural Norwegian bachelors. In the small town of Landstad, middle-aged Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) is one such research subject who regrets ever agreeing to participate in the study. Nevertheless, he is observed by Folke (Tomas Norström), and the two develop a strange friendship until the observer becomes sick. This causes a problem with Folke's boss (Reine Brynolfsson) and Isak's friend Grant (Bjørn Floberg).
Director: Bent Hamer
Starring: Joachim Calmeyer, Tomas Norstrom, Bjorn Floberg, Reine Brynolfsson, Sverre Anker Ousdal
Some comedies make you laugh out loud. This one makes you smile inwardly, but often.
In the wonderfully droll Kitchen Stories, Norwegian filmmaker Bent Hamer takes an already inspired premise and weaves it into a spry absurdist comedy that also manages to find some considerable warmth.
The film pays off eventually with a lovely story of friendship between two lonely men.
The movie's gentle humor and offbeat whimsy prove that humanity trumps bureaucratic foolishness, in Norway or anywhere else.
The icy whimsy of Kitchen Stories is certainly well sustained, but you don't laugh at the movie so much as wait for the joke to thaw.
Best Film (Årets norske kinofilm)
Amanda Awards, Norway (2003)
Philip Øgaard
Camerimage (2003)
Best Director
Copenhagen International Film Festival (2003)
Best Director
European Film Awards (2003)
Jörgen Bergmark
Ghent International Film Festival (2003)
No lists