This Is the Best Directing of the Year

A video essay about "The Taste of Things, directed by Tran Anh Hung ("The Scent of Green Papaya", also sublime). This is a marvelously composed, blocked and shot masterpiece. Beauty put on screen.
Here we'll go through the movie's sublime visual style, how Hung's camera glides through the sets, always capturing actors and their actions with precision and elegance. We'll examine the tightly choreographed dance that makes up the cooking set pieces, how actors, props and the camera are always in the perfect spot. We'll also see how non-cooking scenes are given equal care, also boasting magnificent blocking. This film is a delicious lesson in staging and camerawork.
The story? Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel) is a gourmant who's had a 20-year relationship with his extraordinary cook Eugénie (Juliette Binoche). He frequently entertains his fellow gourmet friends and tries to move his unusual romantic arrangement further. It's a cozy little jewel of a film, with some of the most delightful scenes and moments of the year.
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#videoessay #filmmaking #cinematography

[@horatius2006]

Happiness is watching Moviewise's analyses of watching a movie!

[@floydffrogfloydffrog7453]

I'm just a little ashamed to say that without Moviewise' effervescent discussion of various movies I never would have taken the time to watch any of them. Now I cannot wait to see "The Taste Of Things".

[@HolographicSweater]

same but i’m not gonna watch it

[@resurrectedsunlight155]

No need to be ashamed of not knowing every little detail this universe has to offer. Simply be grateful to the generous folks who point out the finer ones in life. Cheers Moviewise, thanks for introducing us all to some gems of cinema!

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

Watching this on my lunch break. Thanks Moviewise for making another friday great.

[@leohouses]

i’m glad you made this video. i saw this film a month ago and thought i was the only one who praised it so highly.

[@ruurdm.fenenga2571]

If you watch Film Noir movies, most of them are all done like this. It is beautifully done.

[@zetectic7968]

The bath scene at the end is a nod towards David's Death of Murat. The French do love their food.

[@Malkasphia]

pure yogurt farming

[@tskr5830]

favorite movie of 2023, crazy it didn’t get nominated for any oscar’s, great analysis happy to see it get some love

[@bencunnah5864]

Got to see this a month ago here in the UK, so not only glad to have a new video (I await them eagerly each week), but one which brings me back to a film with new thoughts. Looking forward to seeing this again!

[@DOHvideo2012]

What an excellent, wonderful video. I generally don't pay a lot of attention to movie review content, but thanks to this great piece I will seek out this film. Thank you very much Moviewise.

[@meiji_apollo]

Fun fact: lead actors Binoche and Magimel were former partners and share a daughter. Saw Binoche talking about making this film in an episode of podcast Keep It! (They're on KZbin too..)

[@matthewshingleton7088]

In that outdoor scene the guy in brown crosses to the left to be in Eugénie's eyeline more directly, she's holding court and they are all "flirting" with her platonically so they eventually position themselves so they can catch her attention equally. It's a beautful little touch and this is a beautiful little video that explains why I despair when I hear film fans say this film "doesn't have much going on". The blocking and staging is just insane, but the examination of people and how they feel and interact in both social and private situations is equally masterful. It's an extremely "passionate" film.

[@Klavieralter]

This video inspired me to simply buy the DVD. I am very old school and prefer physical media. Yes, beauty, along with 'soul' has become an uncouth word, made uncouth by people who have no conception of it and in the words of the late Roger Scruton, are afraid of it. I am looking forwarding to finally seeing this beautiful film. Many thanks for the insight, analysis and inspiration.

[@mercurialhypersprite9556]

Your videos are too wonderful! I love seeing this kind of information put in a newly digestible and entertaining light! I'm only sad when they end, because it's always too soon to wait for the next.

[@themillenial28]

I feel I learn so much about filmmaking by watching your analysis video. And they’re not even boring. You make it so interesting.

[@disisfunny88]

Knowledge +witty humor 🤣 I love this channel MOVIEWISE ❤

[@PanteraRossa]

I was 13 or 14 when I first fell in love with foreign cinema watching Y Tu Mama Tambien and Vertical Ray of the Sun. Changed my life forever. I knew of Tran as a sensualist director even before I saw Guadagnino who often gets the label. Tran happens to be more varied in his influences, even having done a Hong Kong crime thriller. He's a true gem of Asian cinema and has worked in several languages which is not easy to do.

[@mikew815]

I love your recommendations. I watch them all and am never disappointed.

[@ArshadTanveer007]

Loved the analysis. Directing is also about getting the best out of actors, and this film does that very well. Subtle expressions to larger hand movements are all captured so well, but they are not loud. They blend in with the organic movements of the camera and the chatacters. Absolutely awesome.

[@DimiKaye]

I love this channel so much. I had no idea about this film and now I have to watch it. Keep it up mate, fantastic work.

[@JKRJ14]

Good to watch a new video from you.

[@Kevin_Street]

Thank you for this wonderful analysis. It's certainly deeper than a review. It's also interesting how a director who's interested in "rebuilding" an image of a place with a remarkable food culture (per Wikipedia) would be so good at rebuilding the image of a different place that also has a remarkable food culture. Tran Anh Hung spans both of them, and his interest in beauty brings out the best in whatever he sees.

[@LJCulshawFilms]

You always recommend such wonderful films.

[@WMCheerman]

Great recommendation! Will definitely watch it!

[@TheXelsky]

Great video, as always. 🙏

[@leifkeane]

You make me want to make films. Thanks Mr. Moviewise.

[@dajobuu]

This wasn't even nominated for best foreign film at the Oscars, but thankfully Tran Anh Hung got the recognition he deserved at Cannes winning Best Director last year. His other film The Vertical Ray of The Sun is also a beautiful feast for the eyes.

[@fastbowler]

I watched "The Scent of Green Papaya" years ago, and it was a delight…

[@tom-vj9lz]

Directing like this could almost be compared to that one Hamlet movie

[@petesj26]

I'm really happy I caught this film in the cinema, The Taste of Things is quietly brilliant, you are conscious of everything covered in the video but it's so subtle with it you hardly realise. After the first scene cook fest you just flow with it. Can't wait for the home release so i can get a rewatch in. Great job Moviewise!

[@KhoaHoVoang]

Tran Anh Hung is a visually talented director. My favorite Hung's film is Cyclo.

[@multipass113]

Sometimes you watch a film and you are envious of the cast and crew’s experience of making that film. This is one of those. I love that open door- the way it gives light, the anticipation of the unseen…it just adds such an appealing ambiance to the story. Ngl, by now I am looking forward to see how you creatively insert the “like and subscribe” into each of your videos. Thanks for another good one.

[@Zed-fq3lj]

Thank you, a beautiful review for a wonderful movie!😃🥰

[@oneinchpunched3661]

"Aaah.... Blocking..."

[@SillyWillyFan47]

Beautiful! Thanks! I'll make sure to watch it with my family. :)

[@bethroned]

After "Every Frame a painting" channel, i found your content is great ❤

[@gatomiodasandra]

Now I'm hungry. ❤

[@nimantvardhantanwar3268]

Suggestions for Why It’s A Classic: 12 Angry Men Pyaasa Dr. Strangelove Apu Trilogy

[@JohnMoseley]

I posted a link to Pyaasa - on KZbin - and now my comment seems to have been deleted. I thought it was OK to post KZbin links on KZbin. Weird.

[@nimantvardhantanwar3268]

@@JohnMoseley it might be because the film is also available on prime subscription

[@JohnMoseley]

@@nimantvardhantanwar3268 Ah, thanks. Yes, that must've been it.

[@BenjaminSteber]

Referring to the center of attention as the COAT is brilliant. You can refer to who has the center of attention as who is wearing the COAT.

[@brunoavello8771]

Can you analyze the direction of Dune 2? I had mixed feelings about it, mainly covering scenes in CU and cutting around. Instead of immersing us into the world through staging and blocking. You’re the best man!

[@SaiGade-go9wp]

I was thinking the same

[@N_Loco_Parenthesis]

I'm reminded of another French film, La Reine Margot (1994). Very different subject matter, but terrific volleys of movement, often several people at a time, inventively choreographed (or blocked, I should say).

[@rohanbeer1654]

Cyclo from this same director is an amazing film too!

[@justaguywholikesmovies90]

You haven't covered cinematography,editing, sound, vfx or any other technical aspects as a single topic in a video. I would love it if you just talked about them. Not framing and blocking, but colour and light and cuts and transitions.

[@fantasticnisopta]

This video is about directing. It’s in the title.

[@justaguywholikesmovies90]

@@fantasticnisopta I'm not criticizing this video. I'm telling him to make a video on one of these topics. Maybe I worded the comment wrong.

[@PerfectHandProductions]

I just received my copy of this blu-ray and am looking forward to watching it soon.

[@jhubjrbrbr]

Well… you are talkinf about Tran the man… That guy’s lit

[@noamroubache2771]

As a French, I am so sad that this film didn’t get to the Oscars, especially after all the polemic of not selecting anatomy of a fall which was a bold but great choice imo

[@meiji_apollo]

Yes!!!!! Incredible cinematography!

[@postmodernrecycler]

Reminds me of Babette's Feast. Fine, French cooking in a semi-rustic setting seems to have a real visual poetry to it.

[@jptheactor]

Brilliant 💯

[@pierreh.ollier5906]

Oh my god!! at 1:19 the reference ! :D LMAO!!! How can you have this reference without being french?! I already appreciated a lot your videos, but with this, Monsieur, bravo !!! 🙂 For the others, it's taken from Michel Hazanavicius film "Le Grand détournement" which is a cult comedy, but I didn't think anyone not french could have ever seen it or laugh at those jokes. It's basically all old hollywood movies recut, mixed together and dubbed in french with the silliest dialogue possible.

[@Moviewise]

That specific line became a meme some time ago but I do LOVE La Classe Américaine! I joke that that film is one of the major reasons to learn French. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go stay at a fine AUBERGE!

[@jennatuuls]

Sheesh man, looks like I gotta check it out while it’s still playing in theatres at where I’m at

[@danielmalchovichcorleone4031]

I am sutch a fan of your content, from Mexico, i am 15 year's old, and i'm learing a lot of things about cinema, that has helped me a lot, i can agree that the future of film and cinema is in the past!! PD: i would love to hear your opinion of Wes Anderson films, even if it's bad, he is My favorite director, and i would love to hear your opinion!! Regards.

[@johnfdm123]

Damn, this channel is good.

[@kadensandersfield1852]

Please make a video on Altman’s opening shot of The Player!

[@curtx88]

This guy likes food like Tarantino likes feet

[@rickyv]

I've heard and learned from your takes on Christopher Nolan. I wonder what your thoughts are on Denis Villeneuve films.

[@johns123]

Bit of a random question, but what do you think about Paolo Sorrentino?

[@gregoryknapen9133]

CSI sauces I would watch that.

[@fredr.]

Due to the amount of videos worshiping the cinematography of Dune Part 2, it would be great to have your input on it. 🤔

[@patrickhamos2987]

that guy looks like Teemu Sellane

[@nschulz4537]

Yo, Cyclo is also great

[@padmnabhgoswami7157]

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF PARK CHAN WOOK AS A DIRECTOR???? PLEASE I WANNA KNOW

[@BrandonFishback]

Have you ever thought about doing a video on Barry Lyndon?

[@SpymanTIVC]

I would love to see your opinion on Directing of Oppenheimer

[@Moviewise]

Well…… kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2HKi36dh9V0pcU

[@film_nirvana]

Reminds me of Babbete's feast

[@YellowJello57]

The clips from the movie feel jerky, weird. Still love the insights

[@LycanVisuals]

Nice period aesthetics and food porn. Glad I was able to see this in the theater, yay for A-List.

[@ledbowman]

this looks like a parody of a french movie

[@benjaminsente7430]

Cut out all the Romance and it might be.

[@oscarlizarraga8395]

It was beautifully shot but script wise, it was weak. Lacked any conflict and the characters were totally flat

[@HoShIfox19]

Hmm… interesting i’m wondering tho, isn’t perfect composition like that making things a little impersonal? I feel an absence of style in this film, it’s too perfect and “well done”, the directing is so fluid it becomes invisible… or maybe it’s too different things

[@hashimhesha7537]

I have a facebook page about movies and i want to talk About 7 movies in it so i want you to reply on this comment telling me your opinion on them 1.12 angry men 2.se7en 3.fight club 4.the shawshank redemption 5.the Green mile 6.pulp fiction 7.one flew over the cuckoo's nest

[@moon_orbit]

As much as I love this, if all the movies had this kind of directing it would not be better, it will be not special anymore and all will look kinda samey and boring.

[@richardcahill1234]

There is an infinite amount of variation in this style of directing. Much more so than a shot/reverse shot style.

[@moon_orbit]

@@richardcahill1234 True, but even so. This is good not just because is only well done, but because is also different to the same stuff we see in most movies.

[@moon_orbit]

Imagine if all the channels were like moviewise, he would be not special at all. Just a generic channel.

[@alexalexis7899]

@@moon_orbit And it wouldn't be special, no. If gold was readily and abundantly available to anyone who dug out one feet of dirt, it would be worthless.

[@burtingtune]

Sorry to be a party pooper, but it sounds completely boring. I´m sure it looks good, but I´ll give this one a miss.

[@hashimhesha7537]

I have a facebook page about movies and i want to talk About 7 movies in it so i want you to reply on this comment telling me your opinion on them 1.12 angry men 2.se7en 3.fight club 4.the shawshank redemption 5.the Green mile 6.pulp fiction 7.one flew over the cuckoo's nest