Babette's Feast

The elderly guests enjoying their meal (image from here)

For some reason I was sitting at work the other day and the words 'Babette's Feast' popped into my head. So I did a little searching and discovered the 1987 film Babette's Feast was available at my library for borrowing.

Lets just say I loved the film and it was amazing. To fully appreciate the film you need to watch it. But it is a testimony to the power of food to heal and mend broken relationships, hearts and minds. Babette's meal has not just physical nurturing power but also spiritual and emotional. The film is a love story about friendship, family and good food. The actors were all amazing though I felt sorry for the cute little quail who were to become 'Cailles en sarcophage' and the turtle who was to become soup.

The story is different from other films about food in that it is not about greed or sensuality. Here food is a spiritually uplifting experience to be enjoyed and not shunned as a base physical experience. Babette prepares the food out of love and as a true artist. From the richness of her art she creates an extraordinary experience for all those dining, even if they don't quite know what they are eating!

The guests are members of a strict religious community who seek spiritual rather than physical pleasures. They vow not to mention the food at all during the meal...watch the film to find out why!

Babette at work (image taken from here)

White Dresses & Jane Austen

Elizabeth & Jane go for a walk in floral prints

I love the striped cotton dresses! I love Jane's sleeves too.

Elizabeth picks flowers in flowers. The pleating/gathering here at the bust is lovely too.

Elizabeth talks to Mr Darcy in her fabulous puff-sleeved green jacket.

Looking sad wearing subtle checked beige cotton

Polka dots!

The green trim and buttons make a boring dress cute.

Jane and Elizabeth talk to their Father. I love the pattern/trim of the hemlines on their dresses

Daniela Gregis in Selvedge Magazine

This dress by a designer named Daniela Gregis and a recent resurgence in love for all things Jane Austen have inspired a new project. Daniela Gregis' dress appears to be a light white muslin of several layers with the gathering at the neckline. My version will have pleats instead of gathers and be more fitted at the top. So far I've managed the pleats at the front and back of my test version (made from an Ikea bedsheet). Now I need to figure out where to place the darts and how I'm going to do the sleeves and finishing. I like the simplicity of Gregis' dress but I don't think it would look right on me. I'm also considering a neckline more akin to Elizabeth Bennet's dresses than Gregis', something lower and more rounded but less revealing.

I recently re-watched the 1995 BBC version of Pride & Prejudice (from which the images are taken) and it was wonderful, so much better than Hollywood's recent effort. I spent a lot of time gazing at the costumes, especially the dresses and short jackets. I was also drawn by the short lace shawls they wear over their dresses when going out. I rather fancy making a little white lace shawl to wear too. I also love the boots they wear in the film with their little buttons and small heels. I'd love to wear all the costumes actually, just as they are, but I'm afraid I'd look rather silly. Sigh...

The orange linen jacket. Note the little buttons & trim

The green velvet jacket

All images of the film are taken from:

http://periodmovies.blogspot.com/2007/05/pride-prejudice-1995.html