BY: Miguel Ernesto Yusty

WHAT'S COOKING

Year: 2000

Duration: 109 min.

Directed by: Gurinder Chadha

Distribution: Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Mercedes Ruehl.

WHAT'S COOKING is a film that deals with family themes. It lacks a single protagonist and instead tells the story of many characters, using scenes of food preparation as a bridge between them. It shares with other films the idea of a large banquet as the climactic point of the dramatic arc, but it differs in that it is merely a pretext for exploring the good and bad aspects of family life.

If this weren't a film and the story were told solely through words, it would be difficult to construct a narrative thread that gave meaning to the story. This is due to the constant shifts in location required to keep track of the actions of so many characters. In contrast, by using audiovisual language, the narrative acquires rhythm, becoming an exercise in montage characterized by ellipses, associative cuts, and synchronization between each cut. The elliptical nature is clear in how, thanks to actions linked to food, the transition from showing the lives of one group of characters to another is seamless. Associating similar actions also helps; for example, when someone takes paper to wrap food, in the next scene, showing other people, someone else is also wrapping food. Ultimately, it's all synchronous montage because the characters are shown at the same time, but in different spaces, united by the action of preparing banquets, yet all experiencing particular, albeit universal, dramas.

WHAT'S COOKING is an effort to showcase the diversity of humankind in a single film, compelling the characters to embrace the mission of tolerance. The reason for this can be found in the director's Sikh heritage, from which she inherits a worldview where respect for others and their qualities is fundamental. This is why the characters in this film overcome the chasms that separate them and manage to tolerate one another.

SIKHISM

Sikhism is an Indian religion that developed in the context of the conflict between the doctrines of Hinduism and Islam during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Some of their ideals are:

1. To value and respect positive ideals, such as truth, compassion, joy, humility, love, etc. (which are reflections of the characteristics of God).

2. The suppression of internal evils such as lust, anger, greed, material attachment, selfishness, etc. (which are reflections of the characteristics of the Anti-God).

3. To practice or participate in selfless service (sewa), to help build a loving community life, and to contribute to society whenever possible.

4. Be prepared to protect and represent the rights of the weak to fight for justice and equality for all.

5. Always accept God's will (hukam), and focus on and maintain a positive and optimistic spirit (chardikala), etc.