Food as Metaphor in Film

In film, food is employed as a metaphor for excess and greed; conflict; passion; love and forgiveness; tradition and ritual. Different films may lead us to reflect on the meaningful act of sharing a meal, as that can be a gateway into experience, memory, opinion, and meaning. The act of making a meal helps us learn about and understand the art and cultural significance of those choices. We will discuss the films Big Night, The Taste of Things, Eat Man Drink Woman, Chocolat (Claire Denis, 1998), Babette’s Feast, Goodfellas, and Spirited Away.

Bud Cox has taught literature, film, art history, and music history for more than 46 years and remains deeply enthusiastic about teaching. His recent Renesan presentations have included Six Films of 1975, Film Noir: Fatalism in L.A, Great Comic Moments in Cinema, and Gothic Romances and Dramas in Film.