MOVIE | The President's Chef, a film based on the true story of the personal chef to former President Mitterrand.
MOVIE│Palace Hotel Tokyo Hosts Event Featuring Menu from "The President's Chef"
"The President's Chef": A True Story of the Former French President's Personal Chef
Based on the true story of the female chef who served former French President Mitterrand in the 1980s, "The President's Chef" will be released nationwide starting Saturday, September 7th, at Cine Switch Ginza, Bunkamura Le Cinema, and other theaters.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
Directed by Christian Vincent, renowned as France's foremost gastronome
"The President's Chef" portrays a female chef who captivated President Mitterrand amidst the political turmoil of the presidential palace with her love and skill for cooking. Featuring a profound story, dazzling feasts, and the exhilarating shock and surprise with every bite. This supremely delicious film from the land of gastronomy, France, has arrived in Japan.
The film is directed by Christian Vincent, celebrated as France's foremost gastronome. With meticulously selected dishes and an emphasis on the sounds of cooking, scenes designed for the audience to enjoy with all five senses are woven throughout.
The lead role of the female chef is played by the esteemed French actress Catherine Frot. Filmed at the actual Élysée Palace, the French presidential residence, the contrast between its majestic setting and the unconventional female chef is depicted with striking realism and abundant humor, making it one of the film's highlights.
In commemoration of the film's release, Palace Hotel Tokyo will host a special event on Thursday, August 22nd, inspired by the movie. The event will include a screening, a chance to taste the dishes featured in the film, and a talk show by food critic Masuhiro Yamamoto.
The Bond Forged with the President Through Cuisine
Hortense Laborie, who runs a small restaurant in the countryside, receives a summons and is taken to the Élysée Palace in the heart of Paris. To her surprise, she is personally chosen by Mr. Mitterrand to be his private chef.
The presidential palace operates under a unique system of protocols and regulations. The kitchen, too, was bound by intricate rules that prioritized procedure over the simple act of creating delicious food. Furthermore, within the established hierarchy of chefs, traditionally an all-male domain, Hortense was an unwelcome outsider.
However, Hortense remains devoted to her cooking with the same sincerity, unswayed by anything other than the food itself. Gradually, her colleagues, who initially regarded her with skeptical eyes from a distance, are inspired by her passion and skill, bringing a fresh breeze into the kitchen. Through her culinary creations, she begins to forge a genuine bond with the President... One day, as the President's plate shows fewer leftovers, he speaks to her directly, revealing a surprising story.
Palace Hotel Tokyo x "The President's Chef" Commemorative Special Event ~ The President's Gastronomic Hour ~
Date│Thursday, August 22nd
Time│Reception opens 18:00, Event begins 18:30
Venue│Palace Hotel Tokyo, 2F Banquet Hall "Aoi"
1-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Inquiries & Reservations│Tel. 03-3211-5326 (Dedicated line, 10:00-18:00)
Capacity│80 people
Price│18,000 yen
"The President's Chef"
Nationwide release begins Saturday, September 7th, at Cine Switch Ginza, Bunkamura Le Cinema, and other theaters.
Director & Screenplay│Christian Vincent
Starring│Catherine Frot, Jean d'Ormesson, Hippolyte Girardot, Arthur Dupont, Jean-Marc Roffat
Distribution│Gaga
2012 / France / 95 minutes
Les Saveurs du Palais © 2012-Armoda Films-Vendome Production-Wild Bunch-France 2 Cinema