The next time that hot topic comes up at the pub quiz or during intelligent dinner-party chit-chat, that of the complexities of and the chief protagonists in Norwegian Cinema, you'll at least be able to add this little gem to the topic.You'll immediately be seen as a true film-buff and you can feel very happy with yourself, especially as no-one else will know what the heck you're talking about. Throw in the film's premise and they'll start checking what alcoholic drinks you've imbibed on.I'm sure you've read by now that it's all to do with a 1950's social survey on how single men use their kitchen compared to married women. Even the funny little snail-like caravans that the surveyors sleep in resemble strange kitchen appliances. Director and co-writer Bent Hamer, who later made the more approachable and conventional 'O'Horten' certainly has a creative and mischievous eye and we are always quietly enthralled by the odd but homely goings on.The increasing interaction between the surveyor Folke (Tomas Norstrom) (who has been expressly told to say nothing to his subject) and Norvicke (Joachim Calmeyer), firstly when the latter's friends call by and they seem to dismiss as having a man in a thick suit and tie sat high up on a step ladder as completely normal and then conversation slowly but surely develops.Kitchen Stories remains one of World Cinema's hidden gems - quite modest, rather eccentric and totally unforgettable. Ultimately heart- warming also, this is one quirky little Euro-flick that can be enjoyed by many and many times over, too.

Kitchen Stories in a Nordic comedy that explores the hilarious, but real, social interaction that can take place between strangers along with the strong life-long friendship that can be created over a cup of coffee.Kitchen Stories, a Norwegian/ Swedish film by Bent Hamer, takes place in Norway during the 1950's. Kitchen stories tells the tale of Swedish kitchen efficiency researchers who go to Norway to study single Norwegian men's habits. The movie follows the Swedish researcher Folke Nilsson as he attempts to study the habits of lonely and stubborn Isak Bjørvik. Nilsson, following the strict rules of the research institution not to interact with its host, finds it hard to begin observing and continue doing so as Bjørvik beings to avoid the kitchen as he begins to regret is decision for signing up for the experiment and becomes strongly averse having Nilsson observe his movements. As a result Nilsson becomes upset and seeks a new host. Eventually, however, the men overcome their disapproval of one another and learn that they have much in common as two lonely men. From here a friendship forms that progresses from initial shy interactions to opening up and having comfortable conversations with one another over a cup of coffee. The movie continues to follow this friendship, and tests it's true strength as both become faced with different life challenges. Kitchen Stories offers a look into a variety of elements of historical and contemporary Nordic culture that observe the odd social-interaction behaviors that many foreigners, including myself, have witnessed from first impressions to a lasting friendship. However the film also explores the recent globalization of Nordic cinema by introducing a mixed cast and crew of Norwegians and Swedes as they offer a reflection on their past relations with each other after WWII.As soon as we meet Bjørvik we are introduced to the typical avoidance behavior between people that many will first encounter when they meet someone from the Nordic countries. Bjørvik completely ignores, and also goes out of his way to avoid Nilsson. As Bjørvik gets more and more irritated with Nilsson he starts to resort to passive aggressive techniques to upset Nilsson, such as turning off the lights while he moves around the room so Nilsson can't watch him, or turning the facet to drip before he leaves the kitchen. Soon the two men are in an all out passive-aggressive war on each other. As soon as one does something the others is able to retaliate with a different move. Eventually the tables are turned as we learn that Bjørvik becomes the observer from a small peep hole above as he watch Nilsson in his high-chair. The trick is now on Nilsson as Bjørvik, from the safety of his room upstairs, where he has moved part of his kitchen to cook, watches Nilsson. Despite these early interactions of avoidance and passive-aggressiveness, the two men soon reconcile.This reconciliation takes on the formation of a friendship between the two men. One day, when Bjørvik runs out of tobacco Nilsson takes the chance to offer a peace-offering between the two by tossing Bjørvik some of his own tobacco. Bjørvik, at first shocked by this gesture, soon responds by shyly leaving Nilsson a cup of coffee as he leaves the room. By leaving the cup of coffee Bjørvik has left the Nordic symbol of invitation into ones home. Eventually the two share coffee with each other and as they interact more and more, learn they share much in common with each other. Nilsson also learns, that since he has broken his contract with the research institution not to interact with the host, that work isn't everything, and that as a lone man himself, friendship is the most important thing you can have. The progression of this friendship is seamless as Hamer sets a slow-pace for the film which allows for every movement and set of dialogue that Bjørvik and Nilsson say to expose not only the comedic aspects of this friendship, but the strength of the friendship that is forming. We see this friendship tested in the film throughout many parts, but the first strong sign of friendship comes when Bjørvik saves Nilsson and his trailer on the train tracks from a local man who has become jealous of Bjørvik's friendship with Nilsson. Also, in addition to my research of the film Kitchen Stories, I found that there was some importance in the fact that the film took place during the post-WWI era. During the war, with Norway on one side and Sweden as neutral, mistrust was formed between the two countries and after the two remained cautious when interacting with one another. With this knowledge we could take the story of Kitchen Stories to a whole new level and observe it as a conversation not only on the social interactions between common Nordic people and the importance of friendship, but also as a reflection on Norwegian and Swedish relations after the war.This multi-Nordic cultural aspect that is taken with the film is also a reflection on the globalization of Nordic film and the importance of expanding Nordic film to a broader audience. Before the Nordic film used to be about a specific country and their specific traits- for which they were critiqued. However, today the countries are working together to achieve film that isn't country specific, but that is universal and include Nordic elements.Overall, Kitchen Stories is a beautiful slowly paced film that draws out the awkwardness and humor in Nordic social life, reconciles differences from the past, and looks at the importance and strength of friendship.

Picture sitting in a Psych 101 class, and being informed that part of your grade is to take a research survey. A graduate student plunks a stack of paper in front of you, and the first question asks whether you are Person Type A, Person Type B, or Person type C. Being person type R, this presents you with some difficulty. If that graduate student had watched Kitchen Stories, he would have realized that if you try to limit people into pre-determined roles, you sometimes end up missing some of the amazing things that they can do. This message is a playful gibe at social science research, but it opens up to be a much broader topic than you originally think. The characters in this movie, who are very different people, become wonderfully warm, lovable people by simply listening to one another. This is a message that our world might need to hear a lot more of. I'm not sure the casting could have been any better, as the two leads assume their personalities just so perfectly.

There are so many layers to this clever, funny and moving film. One of those that stays in your head for days. No violence, only a hint of sex, hardly a voice raised in anger and so many emotions expressed with hardly a word being spoken. If you find it a bit slow at first, stay with it and soon you'll be smiling at this image of a gentler, more peaceful and happier time. This is clever writing, directing and acting at its best. It's one of those movies you want to own as it throws up something different each viewing. The "frisson" between neighbours, generosity versus selfishness, a scientific view of life compared to a natural one are all carefully explored. If you like John Woo, leave this one but if you like grown up movies, see it soon.