neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Kitchen Stories
	Bent Hamer Joachim Calmeyer, Tomas Norström, Bjørn Floberg, Reine Brynolfsson, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Leif Andrée, Gard B. Eidsvold, Lennart Jähkel 2003		On occasion, some deadpan drollery escapes from the chilly reserves of Scandinavia to stun and delight international audiences. "Kitchen Stories" is one of those unlikely treats: a witty, oddly warming film from Norway that's set in a wintry rural area during the early 1950s. Inspired by actual behavioral studies of the era, this absurdist serio-comedy, conceived by director/co-screenwriter Bent Hamer, emphasizes themes of loneliness, friendship and anti-authoritarianism. A troop of Swedish social scientists that already investigated the manners and movement patterns of Norwegian housewives in their kitchens sets out to scrutinize the same in single Norwegian men. The repressed Folke (Tomas Norström), a representative of Sweden's Home Research Unit, is assigned to observe, at very close quarters, the habits of aging, cranky farmer Isak (Joachim Calmeyer) who lives alone in a modest home and appears to like his solitude. Despite his clear reluctance to be monitored like a lab rat, Isak lets the watcher into his life, only to undermine Folke's analysis. This compels Folke to do what his superiors expressly prohibit. He interacts with his subject. While its domestic satire is understated, "Kitchen Stories" is an affectionate view of the human condition and the perks of companionship.