Comments on: Design decadence – Vatel

By: Dumb.

Dumb. — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:14:12 +0000

I really liked this movie. It’s a story who need attention. I admirated much the decor, the costumes and the story was very relevant because it was presented a part of life medievale and the problems who where then. It was a reality who shocked me, specially because I agree the drama’s movies. It was a pleasure for me to watch the movie.

By: Sterlingspider

Sterlingspider — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:09:53 +0000

This movie impressed me as being a set designer/crew’s wet dream and nightmare all rolled into one.

The most impressive scene for me visually was actually the stupidest little detail… at one point as the camera pans a table someone grabs the stem of an orange and pulls up. The whole peel unravels in a perfect spiral to expose a perfectly cleaned sectioned orange which falls open to a perfect sunburst shape. This is the tiniest most irrelevant background image, and yet someone took the time to be sure that a detail as small and decadent as that was included in the film.

By: Zoetica

Zoetica — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:50:43 +0000

Mark – I adore Le Grand Bouffe! I watched it a few years ago on someone’s recommendation and dug. It’s impressive how it drags you down into a pit of despair by the end, despite the sort of fun and carefree way it begins.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:49:54 +0000

This is rather off-topic, apologies – but Q Gauti’s use of the phrase ‘food porn tragedy’ made me wonder how many of you have seen La Grande Bouffe. (The clips on YouTube are useless and give no clue as to the content beyond a bit of seismograph-tickling flatulence, so I won’t bother with a link.)

Anyway, it’s obviously quite irrelevant in terms of, uh, lavish 17th dress…but if voyages into unrestrained bacchanalia do it for you, then you won’t find a better (or more profoundly depressing) depiction of it anywhere.

By: ampersandpilcrow

ampersandpilcrow — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:34:11 +0000

Fair enough. Will do.

By: john colby

john colby — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:11:38 +0000

” It is good to be king “

By: Zoetica

Zoetica — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:57:15 +0000

Q – we shall watch this film you mention

Ben – oh yes, and I visited the palace itself 2 summers ago – have a look, but pardon the lack of order – I took too many photos to properly sort them. For now anyhow.

La Môme Néant, thank you so much for the photo! I’d love to visit this place next time I’m in Frace

Tell us what you think once you’ve watched it, Ampersand.

By: ampersandpilcrow

ampersandpilcrow — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:30:05 +0000

*blinks* Wow. Lavish is right. *Adds to list of “Things I have to see”*

Louis XIV’s opulence, obsessed and otherwise, was also a brilliant piece of political strategy. In a generation he managed to turn the nobility from independently powerful magnates constantly plotting against the throne into slavish courtiers constantly plotting against each other and vying for his favor, spending their own resources on ever-more impressive spectacles, instead of armies.

By: La Môme Néant

La Môme Néant — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:20:39 +0000

Oooh, thanks for this Vatel article! My french soul burns with pride. It happens that I visited th Chantilly castel on saturday and had a look at Vatel’s kitchen ( which is now a restaurant).
Picture?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamomeneant/2310096633/
It’s not much, though.

I quite enjoyed the movie, actually. Those “flesh and blood” coloured pastries…

By: Ben Morris

Ben Morris — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:41:33 +0000

Hmm…sounds like a film worth seeing. Regarding filmic opulence, have you seen Russian Ark?