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Umami (film)

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Umami
Directed bySlony Sow
Written bySlony Sow
Starring
Music byFrédéric Holyszewski
Production
companies
Oliver-Frost Films, Slony Pictures, Sunny Side Up Never, Nompareille Productions
Release date
Running time
  • 103 minutes (original version)
  • 92 minutes (shorter version)
Countries
  • France
  • Japan
Languages
  • French
  • Japanese
Box office$206,530[1]

Umami is a 2022 French-Japanese film starring Gérard Depardieu as a French chef who travels to Japan to find a rival chef who once defeated him in a prestigious competition.[2][3] It was written and directed by French director Slony Sow and filmed during the start of the Covid-19 period in Hokkaido, Japan (February 2020) and the Loire region in France (June 2020) after physical production was halted in France in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Due to the closure of cinemas during the Covid-19 period, the film's commercial theatrical release was delayed until February 2023. The film was shown in festivals and released worldwide in its original version of 103 minutes except in France where a shorter version (92 minutes) was reviewed and released.

Plot

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Gabriel Carvin, a Michelin-starred chef from Saumur, is awarded his third crystal star by a culinary critic. The same evening, his wife, Louise, leaves him. This brutal separation triggers a family crisis. For Gabriel, the overflow strikes him to the heart. To clear his mind, he goes to Japan, which will allow him to reconnect with the simple pleasures of friendship and try to discover the mysteries of umami, the fifth taste of the palate.

Cast

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Production

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  • Written and Directed by: Slony Sow
  • Director of Photography: Denis Louis
  • Music: Frédéric Holyszewski with a special appearance by Sugizo
  • Costumes: Dorothée Lissac, Mari Miyamoto
  • Producers: Lucas Oliver-Frost, Slony Sow
    • Co-Producers: Jean-Maurice Belayche, Evelyne Inuzuka, Yoshikazu Gahier
    • Executive Producer: Alex Dong
  • Production Companies: Oliver-Frost Films, Slony Pictures
    • Associated Production Companies: Sunny Side Up Never, Nompareille Productions

Reception

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Comparing Umami to films including Babel and Tampopo, a review in Stuff called it "a whimsical film that stays on the right side of cloying".[4] Le Figaro Magazine (Pierre de Boishue) on May 12, 2023 reviewed the film with two stars, describing it as "a taste of radiance" with "so many ingredients that give the whole thing a refreshing taste".[5]

The original (103 minute) version of the film appeared at the Festival International du Film de Comédie de Liège,[6] the Oslo Films from the South Festival,[7] the Alliance Française French Film Festival in Australia and in Chicago,[8] the vOilah! French Film Festival in Singapore[9] and was the festival opening film at the Fribourg International Film Festival[10] and Yokohama International Film Festival.[11]

The original version of Umami opened theatrically in Germany (under the title Der Geschmack der kleinen Dinge)[12] on February 9, 2023 initially on 142 screens, increasing to 147 screens in following weeks due to its positive reception.[13] The film remained in German cinemas until the week of January 14, 2024.[14]

During promotion of the film for its French theatrical release, on March 5, 2023 the website Mediapart released a report[15] alleging sexual assault by Gérard Depardieu, followed by a report alleging sexual violence by the website Libération on March 24, 2023.[16] The "Depardieu Sings Barbara" concerts were met with protests by feminist organizations against Depardieu and concert attendees.[1]

On May 17, 2023 a shortened (92 minute) version of Umami opened in France on 251 screens, to poor box office results and generally negative reviews. The film was refused by French television stations and streaming services due to the allegations made against Gérard Depardieu.

Depardieu penned an open letter in Le Figaro newspaper denying all the charges on October 1, 2023.[17]

Umami (original version) was released theatrically in Switzerland, Belgium (short version), Taiwan, the Netherlands, Spain, Colombia, Israel, Singapore, Estonia, Hong Kong, Bulgaria, Mexico, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Australia and New Zealand. It was not released theatrically in the US, UK and Canada due to the Depardieu allegations. The original version of the film was released online in Russia and China.

The film's original version appeared as in-flight entertainment on airlines including Delta Airlines, QANTAS, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Corsair, Air India, Vietnam Airlines, EVA Air, WestJet, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Etihad, Qatar Airlines, and Air France (Air France releasing the short version).

References

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  1. ^ "Umami". JP Box-Office.
  2. ^ https://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2023/05/17/umami-gerard-depardieu-un-chef-etoile-et-un-acteur-sur-le-declin_6173685_3246.html
  3. ^ https://www.la-croix.com/Culture/Umami-quete-saveur-2023-05-17-1201267673
  4. ^ Tuckett, Graeme (9 June 2023). "Umami: Gerard Depardieu shines in a contrived, indulgent, hugely enjoyable drama". Stuff. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  5. ^ "Lire Le Figaro Magazine en ligne - Kiosque Figaro". kiosque.lefigaro.fr (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  6. ^ "Umami". Festival International du Film de Comédie de Liège. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  7. ^ "Umami | Films from the South". www.filmfrasor.no. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  8. ^ "Japon/France • Film Screening". www.af-chicago.org. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  9. ^ "Umami: a taste of happiness". Voilah!. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  10. ^ "Umami - A taste of happiness | Festival International de Films de Fribourg". www.fiff.ch. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  11. ^ "横浜国際映画祭 | FILMS". 横浜国際映画祭 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  12. ^ www.pro-idea.cz, Pro-idea s r o /. "Der Geschmack der kleinen Dinge | metaInfo". www.neuevisionen.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  13. ^ "Umami". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  14. ^ "Umami". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
  15. ^ Turchi, Marine (2024-03-05). "Affaire Depardieu : une enquête ouverte pour « agression sexuelle »". Mediapart (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  16. ^ LIBERATION. "Violences sexuelles : une nouvelle plainte déposée contre Gérard Depardieu". Libération (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  17. ^ "Gérard Depardieu: «Je veux enfin vous dire ma vérité»". Le Figaro (in French). 2023-10-01. Retrieved 2024-04-19.


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