Before helping Tran Anh Hung be honored at the closing ceremony of this year's Cannes Film Festival, La Passion de Dodin Bouffant received a 7-minute standing ovation when it was released to the audience and the professional council. The film is also on the official list of competitors for the 2023 Golden Rooster Award.
The film is adapted from the novel La Vie et la passion de Dodin-Bouffant gourmet (1924) by French writer Marcel Rouff, set in the French culinary world in 1885. The main content revolves around the love story between the female chef Eugenie (Juliette Binoche) and the famous customer Dodin Bouffat (Benoit Magimel).
Eugenie and Dodin have been together for more than 20 years and have gradually developed feelings over time. They help each other create delicious dishes, conquering famous gourmets and chefs around the world.
However, Eugenie was eager for freedom, pursued a career and did not want to get married. To win the heart of a female chef, Dodin decided to do something he had never done before: Cooking for Eugenie.
La Passion de Dodin Bouffant was filmed at a castle in Segre-en-Anjou Bleu, Maine-et-Loire (France) from April to May 2022, according to Variety. Famous chef Pierre Gagnaire, who won 14 Michelin stars, took on the role of culinary consultant and also contributed a small role in the film.
Since its release, the film has received many positive responses from international press and experts. Variety's Guy Lodge wrote: "Tran Anh Hung did not want to insert music to illustrate the actions of the character in the film. Instead, the director focuses on the sound during the cooking process, the feeling of enjoyment when eating, or each breath of the character".
Meanwhile, The Guardian praised the work for its many beautiful scenes, bringing the charm and sophistication of France.
Deadline commented that the film has a unique storytelling style, honoring the senses in the culinary experience. The cooking scene is richly presented with poetry and performing arts, but does not fade the love that the work depicts.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the couple's acting was the highlight of the film. In fact, Magimel and Binoche were a couple in real life, so the intimate scenes were taken naturally and realistically.
Director Tran Anh Hung was born in 1962, graduated from the prestigious Ecole Louis-Lumiere Film Festival in France. He is famous for "The Scent of Green Papaya" and was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
In 1995, Tran Anh Hung won the Golden lion at the Venice Film Festival for " Cyclo". In 1998, Tran Anh Hung won the first Golden Film Award at the 51st Cannes Film Festival.
In Vietnam, the director also participated in teaching a number of courses under the Autumn Meeting program, to convey knowledge and love for cinema to young filmmakers.
