A Chef in Love (1996)
"Shekvarebuli kulinaris ataserti retsepti" (original title)

The story of Pascal Ichak, a larger-than-life French traveller, bon vivant, and chef, who falls in love with Georgia and a Georgian princess in the early 1920s. All is well until the ... See full summary »

Director:

Nana Dzhordzhadze

Writers:

Irakli Kvirikadze (scenario), André Graill (adaptation)

Stars:

Pierre Richard, Micheline Presle, Nino Kirtadze

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierre Richard	...	Pascal Ichak
Micheline Presle	...	Marcelle Ichak
Nino Kirtadze	...	Cecile Abachidze
Jean-Yves Gautier	...	Anton Gogoladze
Temuri Qamkhadze	...	Zigmund Gogladze (as Temour Kamkhadze)
Ramaz Chkhikvadze	...	Anton Gogoladze (as Ramaz Tchkhikvadze)
Kakhi Kavsadze	...	Le Président
Guram Pirtskhalava	...	Platoon (as Gouram Pirtskhalava)
Khatuna Ioseliani	...	Mme. Kollontai (as Khatouna Iosseliani)
Marina Kakhiani	...	Secretary with Shaved Head
Nino Koberidze	...	Secretary
Shota Qristesashvili	...	Zigmund's Friend (as Chota Kristessachvili)
Goga Gvessiliani	...	Messenger
Aleksandr Ilin	...	The Englishman (as Alexandre Ilyne)
Gogola Kalandadze	...	Peasant Woman

Storyline

The story of Pascal Ichak, a larger-than-life French traveller, bon vivant, and chef, who falls in love with Georgia and a Georgian princess in the early 1920s. All is well until the arrival of the Red Army of the Caucasus, as the Soviet revolution that has swept Russian comes to Georgia. Told as a flashback from the present, as a French-Georgian man whose mother was Pascal's lover translates his memoirs for Pascal's niece.

---

Plot Keywords:

soviet | revolution | love | cooking | sense of smell | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity, sexual situations and some images of violence

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Classics

Country:

France Georgia Ukraine Belgium

Language:

French Georgian Russian

Release Date:

23 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Chef in Love

Filming Locations:

Georgia

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$36,628 (USA) (25 April 1997)

Gross:

$603,957 (USA) (18 July 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films du Rivage, La Sept Cinéma, Studio Adam&Eve

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Beautiful movie

This is one of the most visually appealing movies I have ever seen. I love the style. It's very rich, with lots of rich colors and elegant scenarios and beautiful foods, but at the same time sort of spare, due to the severe landscapes and settings. Makes for a beautiful contrast. The actors also add to the visual appeal, they fit the look of the movie very well, have the same sort of unusual aestheticism.

The story is also an engrossing one, with a fulfilling and fascinating love story. Personally, I'm not that fond of the parts where the film gets figurative or symbolic, I just have a hard time getting meaning out of it--but it isn't too ambiguous, and the style of the film certainly makes it well worth a little confusion.

It's also very interesting to get to see Georgia, which provides an interesting perspective on some of the political events shown in the film. It's an unusual setting, very cool.

I just love to look at this movie. It's really beautiful. And the food always looks amazing. Overall, charming.