IAC DISCUSSION FORUMS

Yesterday I watched a documentary made by BBC Bristol. It was on our Belgian
Television Channel. It was called "Brits op je bord". The English title :
"British Discover Journey". Local ... Regional ... Traditional Flavour. A
certain Rick Stein is the cook. David Pritchard is the producer and director
of the film series. I always enjoy that programme very much. Not only because
watching the delicious British meals gives me an appetite, but also because
the film technique that is used is wonderful: the length of the shots, the
fades,the colours, etc... While looking at the preparation of the meals you
can enjoy the British landscapes. And Rick Stein is a very entertaining
personality. I will try to give my right feelings : "The harmony of cookery,landscapes
and information given by Rick Stein, etc... always makes an enjoyable documentary."
Do you understand what I mean ? On our channel you can also watch "A Picture
of Britain". It's series about British landscapes that inspired painters,
poets and composers over the last three hundred years. For instance : the
county of Suffolk mixed with paintings by John Constable. These documentaries
are not boring at all. They give me inspiration and I have the feeling that
I can learn a lot when watching them. When I tell my friends something about
Britain, they always say : "Yes, OK, but British food is bad !" Rick Stein's
art of cooking may change their unfair opinion about British meals and other
things. This programme is excellent to make them free from prejudice. British
food is not bad. It's different.

"Willy Van der Linden" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

British food is not bad. It's different.

Ah,Willy, give me sausage, egg and chips, please!
Or roast beef and yorkshire pud.
Or pie and eels from a pie and eel shop.
Or a nice plate of winkles! (one has to use a pin to get
the winkle out the shell)

Albert....a British gore me !

There are two main strands in British cuisine ... the basic, peasant, home
cooking of warm, filling and usually cheap dishes on one hand. On the other
cooking for the rich and noble people which could be ornate, elaborate and
expensive. Unfortunately both types fell into disfavour and were supplanted
by takeaway food at one end of the scale and imported luxuries from the cuisines
of other countries at the other end of the scale.

I once had a medieval rich man's meal at the home of a Canadian cookery enthusiast
living in London. Much about it was strange - not least the lack of plates
and forks. Food was dished onto a flat circle of biscuity-bread which gradually
absorbed juices and gravy during the meal and became a interesting item to
eat at the end. The most notable feature for me was the combination of sweet
and savoury in many dishes.

I cannot, however, think of a British movie about cooking ... other than
the Huddersfield club's documentary about making the world's biggest pie
in a carnival celebration. Where is our version of "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman",
"Babette's Feast", "Like Water for Chocolate" ? Can we count "A Private
Function" perhaps? Michael Slowe did make a movie I like a lot called "Potter's
Lunch" though that was as much about people as what they ate.

On the other hand, filmically, what have the Belgians ever done for us? On
the amateur scene quite a lot, but on the professional scene very little.
I have seen wonderful Belgian comedies by film students and semi-professionals
at various festivals but not in cinemas.

Dave

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

On the other hand, filmically, what have the Belgians ever done for us?
On
the amateur scene quite a lot, but on the professional scene very little.
I have seen wonderful Belgian comedies by film students and semi-professionals
at various festivals but not in cinemas.

Dave

Oh, Dave, do not be so huffy ! Perhaps you do not like the title "British
Food is Bad !", but in my article I told our British friends that most Belgians
are wrong. British food is different. That's all ! I like British food.
Really ! Perhaps I am more British than Albert is. (Now, Albert will be huffy,
I fear). I like Yorkshire pudding and all the other things you mentioned,
Albert, but I even love "toad in the hole", Welsh rarebit and Scottish haggis
! It's a pity that I was not born in Britain. I even prefer an English Stella
to a Belgian one. Did you know that the taste is different ?

Dave, why do you start saying : "Filmically, what have the Belgians ever
done for us ?" That's unfair ! To make things clear : I am not a Belgian
patriot. It's a pity that Flanders is not part of the Netherlands. We speak
the same language. Our mentalities are perhaps a bit different, but people
who live in the Cotswolds are different from people who live in the Yorkshire
Dales. So why wouldn't we be able to live together, the Flemish and the Dutch,
and form one country ? Quite a lot of TV programmes are made by Dutch
and Flemish people together. Yes, it's a pity that there are two Belgian
judges at the UNICA-festival : one from the Dutch speaking part and one from
the French speaking part. Stupid, isn't it ?

Why have you not seen wonderful Belgian comedies in cinemas, Dave ? That's
very simple. That's because of our languages (Dutch, French and German).
It's a handicap ! In Hollywood we do not have any chance of winning an oscar.
English spoken films have an enormous advantage. Yes, indeed, there's a category
"foreign films" or "films in other languages" in Hollywood. We, Belgians,
can only be nominated or win an oscar in that category. In the European
song contest most singers prefer English to their own languages. The Turkish,
the Estonians, the Ukrainians, etc. prefer to sing their songs in English.
Why ? Because it sounds better and then they have a better chance of winning.
Subtitling a Dutch spoken film does not give the film maker the guarantee
that he can create the right feelings in the English hearts and minds. Only
a Dutch or Flemish viewer can feel everything. A movie always loses some
of its power when it's subtitled. I hope you understand what I mean. It's
better that a Dutch speaking moviemaker who takes part in a British or American
film festival chooses a film with a minimum of spoken words. Last year my
friend Etienne Maes showed his "Da Capo" at BIAFF. It's a film with power
and emotion. His actors are not speaking from the beginning till the end.
The lady who's suffering from breast cancer plays music that is very expressive.
She tries to reflect her feelings by playing different songs. Her feelings
of happiness = happy piece of music. Feelings of sadness and anxiety = is
sad piece of music. Etienne did not have to subtitle many sentences. I was
very happy with his results at BIAFF (international medaillion) and also
in Guernsey (Lily Trophy). He deserved it. In Belgium Etienne was only
30th at the National Festival. Ridiculous, isn't it ? But, yes, that's
Belgium ! That's an other problem.

A second thing : I am sure that English moviemakers can work with an enormous
budget. More money means more chance of having better quality. Our filmmakers
are on the dole most of the time. Do not compare the number of excellent
British films with the number of excellent Belgian films, Dave ! Belgium
is small. Our population : 10,000,000 people. The United Kingdom : almost
60,000,000 people ! Why do the British not win as many medals as the Americans
or the Chinese at the Olympic Games ? Perhaps it's better to compare Belgium
with Scotland, your native country. I know the 007 James Bond film star
Sean Connery, and also the films "Braveheart", "Rob Roy". But these are films
about the history of Scotland. Perhaps you have forgotten, Dave... Our Dardenne
brothers already won the "Palme d'Or" twice in Cannes, the most prestigious
film festival in the world after Hollywood. This year they won with "L'Enfant"
(The Child). In 1999 they won with "Rosetta". "L'Enfant" tells the story
of a young couple living in difficult circumstances. He is a pretty criminal.
She lives on benefit and then becomes pregnant. A very good film.

And, Dave, don't you know Jean-Claude Van Damme ? He's also called "The Muscles
of Brussels". But yes, his American English is better than his Dutch. And
of course you know Audrey Hepburn, don't you ? The best actress of all times
! She has been stolen from us by the British ! She was born in Brussels
on 4 May 1929, but she was forced to go to England. Films like "My Fair
Lady", "Breakfast at Tiffany's", "Blood Line", etc... were fantastic films,
weren't they ? But why ? In the first place ... thanks to the enormous
talents of Audrey Hepburn. I loved her ! Thinking of all these excellent
actors, actresses and films I am filled with a great desire to become a Belgian
patriot !

Oh, Dave, do not be so huffy !

I'm really glad you know I am joking, Willy.

In fact when I was busy promoting the UNICA festival which takes place in
Belgium next month I came across a website www.famousbelgians.net which mentioned
the people you did plus many more. Even one of my heros, Django Reinhardt,
was Belgian.

To be completely fair one of my favourite commercial movies is "The Eighth
Day (Le Huitieme Jour)" about a mongol teenager and a businessman ... and
if you know the film you know why I did not use the term "Downs syndrome"
instead of mongol.

It is just difficult for Britain to compete with Belgian chocoloate, Belgian
lager, Belgian chips ...

Dave

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

British food is different. That's all ! I like British food.
Really ! Perhaps I am more British than Albert is. (Now, Albert will be
huffy,
I fear
I like Yorkshire pudding and all the other things you mentioned,
Albert, but I even love "toad in the hole", Welsh rarebit and Scottish
haggisYes

If you are more Britsh then me, Willy, then that doesn't make me huffy
...I rejoice in it!
Toad in the hole very nice too, and Welsh rarebit.(is it Welsh I wonder?)
Now I must confess, that I have never had Haggis. Is it good? It does
look rather fatty though ? Cholesrerol and all that.

! It's a pity that I was not born in Britain.

Never mind, remember that these days many born in Britain
wish to destroy us, so it is not where you were born that counts
but one's outlook.

And, Dave, don't you know Jean-Claude Van Damme ? He's also called "The
Muscles
of Brussels". But yes, his American English is better than his Dutch. And
of course you know Audrey Hepburn, don't you ? The best actress of all times

Do you really think so? Surely not.
Albert

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

And, Dave, don't you know Jean-Claude Van Damme ? He's also called "The
Muscles
of Brussels". But yes, his American English is better than his Dutch. And
of course you know Audrey Hepburn, don't you ? The best actress of all
times

Do you really think so? Surely not.

No, Albert, not really. I don't like Brussels - I worked there for about
15 years - and I don't like Jean-Claude Van Damme, "The Muscles of Brussels"
either. I don't like muscular stars like Van Damme, Sylvester Stallone and
Schwarzenegger (Hopefully I will not be attacked by Californian friends).
I love films with normal people, so not films with body-builders. A good
example of a natural kind lady was Audrey Hepburn, but perhaps I am prejudiced.
Her first film was called "Dutch in Seven Lessons" (1948). She played the
role of an airhostess. The director of the film was ... a Charles Huguenot
van der Linden ! He claimed to be the discoverer of Audrey Hepburn's talents.
I also loved Audrey Hepburn because she was an excellent UNESCO ambassador.
She received posthumously an award for her humanitarian efforts by the Academy
of Motion Piction Arts and Sciences. She is the only actress who was born
in Belgium with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Many Dutch will pretend
she was from Holland, but I don't mind. Last year she even received posthumously
an award for her great natural beauty. To be honest this was a bit ridiculous,
I think. You don't give awards for such things. But I adored her !

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

Now I must confess, that I have never had Haggis. Is it good? It does
look rather fatty though ? Cholesrerol and all that.

I would not eat haggis every day, Albert, but I like it. This is my honest
opinion. I know that Dave Watterson is a haggis-lover ! Perhaps that's why
he is a tall man now. As you know haggis is a seasoned mixture of liver,
heart, etc... mixed with oatmeal and cooked in a bag made from the stomach
of a sheep. It does not look attractive, but the taste is not bad. If I would
live in Scotland I would try to make a doumentary about preparing a haggis.
I only fear that the film would not be very appetizing then. The first time
I ate it I was in ... London. I attented the "Caledonian Suite", a Scottish
Show. It was near Oxford Circus. All men had to wear Scottish kilts. I remember
there was a special ceremony, the "Ceremony of the Haggis". The stomach was
cut into pieces with an enormous knife. Afterwards we drank a lot of whisky
and beer. We felt like wild rovers ! Some B & B's in Scotland offer breakfasts
with black pudding and ... also haggis. Good for your own stomach in the
morning. Last time I ate haggis I was in a Scottish pub on the Royal Mile
near Edinburgh Castle. The word "haggis" always reminds me of good things
!

"Willy Van der Linden" <vanderlindenhig@telenet.be> wrote:

No, Albert, not really. I don't like Brussels - I worked there for about
15 years - and I don't like Jean-Claude Van Damme, "The Muscles of Brussels"
either. I don't like muscular stars like Van Damme, Sylvester Stallone and
Schwarzenegger (Hopefully I will not be attacked by Californian friends).
I love films with normal people, so not films with body-builders.

For a great piece of escapism see the 'Terminator' series of films with
Arnie Schwarzy, THE muscle man.
I daresay the series have been released throughout Europe.

The special effects are simply amazing and the films worth seeing
for these alone.
No one could have played this part but, Arnie.
Not Alec Guiness. nor Sir Lawrence Olivier or Sir John Gielgud,
even if they had been alive and available!
So muscle men have their parts to play too.

Why don't amateurs make more science fiction films? Effects not
required as things can be suggested and mind control only needs
acting..... of a sorts!
Albert...

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

Now I must confess, that I have never had Haggis. Is it good? It does
look rather fatty though ? Cholesrerol and all that.

Calories 270
Calories from Fat 66 (24%)
Amount Per Serving %RDA
Total Fat 7.4g 11%
Saturated Fat 2.4g 11%
Polyunsat. Fat 1.6g
Monounsat. Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 272mg 90%
Sodium 893mg 37%
Potassium 432mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 17.4g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g 8%
Protein 32.7g 65%
Vitamin A 16038mcg 320%
Vitamin B6 0.6mg 29%
Vitamin B12 38.5mcg 641%
Vitamin C 12mg 20%
Vitamin E 0mcg 2%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Magnesium 58mg 14%
Iron 8mg 45%

This useful info came from www.recipezaar.com

The taste is gently savoury. It is a nutritious, flavoursome dish which makes
a solid basis for the consumption of beer and/or whisky. Typical peasant
food it is hearty, tasty and cheap.

Though not strictly a film about haggis making I can recommend Daphne Barbieri's
short film 'A Cut Above the Rest' which shows the work of Pirie and Son butchers
whose award-winning recipes include all sorts of goodies.

A little more pondering about food in British movies reminded me of 'Tom
Jones' - the chicken eating/seduction
'The Private Life of Henry VIII' - chicken again
'Consuming Passions' - chocolate flavoured with, er, people.

Any more?

Dave

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"AnimatioN" <Animation@btinternet.com> wrote:

Now I must confess, that I have never had Haggis. Is it good? It does
look rather fatty though ? Cholesrerol and all that.

Calories 270
Calories from Fat 66 (24%)
Amount Per Serving %RDA
Total Fat 7.4g 11%
Saturated Fat 2.4g 11%
Polyunsat. Fat 1.6g
Monounsat. Fat 1.9g
Cholesterol 272mg 90%
Sodium 893mg 37%
Potassium 432mg 12%
Total Carbohydrate 17.4g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g 8%
Protein 32.7g 65%
Vitamin A 16038mcg 320%
Vitamin B6 0.6mg 29%
Vitamin B12 38.5mcg 641%
Vitamin C 12mg 20%
Vitamin E 0mcg 2%
Calcium 27mg 2%
Magnesium 58mg 14%
Iron 8mg 45%

This useful info came from www.recipezaar.com

Thanks for all that,Dave. Kinda puts one off one's food seeing it all
in percentage terms! That sodium content seems high? Bad for the
blood pressure.....as is this forum at times!!

The taste is gently savoury. It is a nutritious, flavoursome dish which
makes
a solid basis for the consumption of beer and/or whisky.

Wouldn't suit me then, as I don't partake!

Typical peasant

food it is hearty, tasty and cheap.

I have to be so damn careful around here talking about things
North of the border as some nut calls me a rascist when I do,
but believe I've seen Haggis for sale in Tesco at certain times of the year.

That will make the Haggis purists groan, but I might try it.

A little more pondering about food in British movies reminded me of 'Tom
Jones' - the chicken eating/seduction
'The Private Life of Henry VIII' - chicken again
'Consuming Passions' - chocolate flavoured with, er, people.
Any more?

My best 'food' shot was in 'Alien' when John Hurt started eating a hearty
meal and the Alien burst forth from his chest cavity....
.......put me right off my bacon and eggs, that did!
NOW,there must be some "food" scripts for amateurs to make in a
comedy style....even a take off of the above maybe???......
a little kitten comes forth, or a glamourous female. a mouse?
Albert....

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

A little more pondering about food in British movies reminded me of 'Tom
Jones' - the chicken eating/seduction
'The Private Life of Henry VIII' - chicken again
'Consuming Passions' - chocolate flavoured with, er, people.

Any more?

Dave

How about "The Cook, the thief, his wife and her lover" set in a restaurant
even; but that last meal, how jealous Dr Lecter would have been,

Ned C