Babette's Feast
(1987)
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Babette's Feast
(1987)
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Stéphane Audran | ... |
Babette Hersant
(as Stephane Audran)
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Bodil Kjer | ... | |
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Birgitte Federspiel | ... | |
| Jarl Kulle | ... | ||
| Jean-Philippe Lafont | ... |
Achille Papin
(as Jean Philippe Lafont)
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| Bibi Andersson | ... |
Svensk hofdame
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Ghita Nørby | ... |
Narrator
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Asta Esper Hagen Andersen | ... |
Anna
(as Asta Esper Andersen)
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Thomas Antoni | ... |
Svensk Lieutenant
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Gert Bastian | ... |
Poor Man
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Viggo Bentzon | ... |
Fisherman in Rowboat
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| Vibeke Hastrup | ... | ||
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Therese Hojgaard Christensen | ... |
Martha
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Pouel Kern | ... |
The Minister
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Cay Kristiansen | ... |
Poul
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In 19th century Denmark, two adult sisters live in an isolated village with their father, who is the honored pastor of a small Protestant church that is almost a sect unto itself. Although they each are presented with a real opportunity to leave the village, the sisters choose to stay with their father, to serve to him and their church. After some years, a French woman refugee, Babette, arrives at their door, begs them to take her in, and commits herself to work for them as maid/housekeeper/cook. Sometime after their father dies, the sisters decide to hold a dinner to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. Babette experiences unexpected good fortune and implores the sisters to allow her to take charge of the preparation of the meal. Although they are secretly concerned about what Babette, a Catholic and a foreigner, might do, the sisters allow her to go ahead. Babette then prepares the feast of a lifetime for the members of the tiny church and an important gentleman related ... Written by Ed Cannon <ecannon@mail.utexas.edu>
This movie came aside as a shock in the eighties.Far from trends,that is to say in the heart of sincere creativity,Babettes gaestebud stands as one of the finest movies of its time.Stephane Audran,the wonderful actress of her ex-husband Claude Chabrol's greatest achievements (le boucher,la rupture,les noces rouges,all unqualified musts for movie buffs)gave a lifetime performance.To see her prepare with love and affection her meal is a feast for the eyes.All the people who saw this masterpiece actually tasted,ate Babette's culinary triumph. But the most moving part of the story is its conclusion:Babette was a great French chef,she was famous,now she found a new homeland but her heyday is behind her and she won't never be allowed to come back to her dear France.So the two old sisters do comfort her:In heaven,there will be huge kitchens where she cooks for eternity.While sharing her fortune with her new friends,Babette changed their life,she gave them pleasure and a magic evening they would remember forever.In this simple but extraordinary screenplay,human warmth is everywhere,and I wish everybody a Babette's feast,would it be only for one starry night...