Babette’s Feast

Babette’s Feast

Like probably most of the people in our class, I grew up watching and

enjoying Hollywood movies and have never really tried to appreciate

European cinema. I initially thought of it as something boring or

something that required too much analysis and interpretation that it

took the “fun” part out of watching a movie. However, watching the

film, Babette’s Feast, certainly changed my viewpoint. Though it

didn’t fully transform my view into instant admiration and outright

appreciation, my viewpoint on European cinema definitely changed from

indifference to curiosity and interest. As I was watching the film,

instead of getting bored or sleepy from the slow-paced scenes, I found

myself wanting to know the message and meaning of the story behind the

seemingly simple plot. Because of the film’s simplicity and subtle

pacing, I became more aware of the symbolisms and deeper meanings

found in the film. I do believe in the transforming power of art and

have even experienced it myself after watching this film. My attitude

and interest towards European cinema may still be different from that

of Hollywood movies but watching this film has definitely made me more

open to the art of European films and made me look forward to watching

and hopefully appreciating more of these in our class.

One of the first symbolisms found in the film is that of the dried

fish, which serves as a stark contrast to the opulent feast Babette

prepares in the end. Aside from being the staple food of the

characters in the film, the dried fish can probably represent the life

that they had before Babette’s arrival in their village. It signifies

the characters’ extremely simple and puritan way of life to the point

of becoming stiff and lifeless just like the fish. Their lives are

devoid of excitement and passion and the original dream of their

religious group is growing as old and tired as the members themselves.

Another symbolism to be found is when Babette was washing the