31 August 2014

Three years ago I was much taken by a book called The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard Morais. It wasn't that it was particularly literary, but that the sub-plot involved problems when new immigrants to France integrated with the locals.  Clearly Steven Spielberg liked it too, culminating in a new film, called Les Recettes du Bonheur in France, released here next week.  Especially interesting is that some scenes were filmed locally in Saint Antonin Noble Val in Tarn et Garonne, near here.  Film producers always head for this mediaeval village, it being also the setting for the haunting WW2 film Charlotte Grey. But this new film is also attractive to the French food industry, especially those 'fait maison' chefs looking to attract more clientele to what real French cuisine is all about. It stars Helen Mirren as an autocratic French Michelin-starred restaurant owner confronted with, of all things, an Indian restaurant right opposite, run by Indian immigrants. Quel catastrophe! It's an ideal opportunity for different cultures, beliefs and taste-buds to come crashing together.  The French, who in my experience don't take easily to foreigners, are probably saying right now: come back German U-boats; all is forgiven...