Food culture involves so much more than just what makes it to our plates. A quick scroll through Instagram will reveal countless pages dedicated to restaurants, recipes, and traditions, and this phenomenon is not limited to social media. Humans have been telling stories about food for thousands of years, and one of the most effective ways we do this is through movies. There’s something about seeing a character’s love for an ingredient or efforts toward perfecting a treasured recipe that can enhance a narrative in ways almost no other subject can. Here are some of our favorite foodie films.
Julie & Julia
New York City food blogger Julie Powell attempts to cook her way through chef Julia Child’s cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days in this 2009 comedy drama. The film is filled with mouthwatering shots of the dishes Julie cooks while also providing some historical background about how Julia Child got started.
Ratatouille
What we love most about Ratatouille is the film’s message that you don’t have to come from a specific background or have a formal education to succeed at something you love. It also does a great job of showing how sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that mean the most.
Chocolat
Chocolat is a charming story about a mother-daughter pair who open a chocolate shop in a conservative French village. The film uses chocolate to explore complicated themes like following societal expectations vs establishing independence.
