Customer Reviews

A Touch of Spice

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No matter where you live, or how far away you are from home, you must always follow your passions, for they will guide you on your path through life. This is the lesson I learned from the film "A Touch of Spice", which I recently discovered in my search for Greek films released in America, and is one of the highest grossing Greek films of all time. For the main character, Fanis Iakovides, this passion is food. It's a passion taught to him by his grandfather, who owns a spice shop in Istanbul that Fanis frequents as a young boy. Grandfather teaches Fanis the power and passion found in spices, a lesson which sticks with him as he is deported back to Greece with his family, away from his grandfather.

Fanis' natural skills as a cook are discouraged by those around him as he grows into adolescence, as is his recent immigration from Turkey. Despite being Greek citizens, his family is frequently viewed as outsiders, and this sense of alienation and longing to return to a home that no longer exists is one of the main themes of this film. Fanis soon grows up and becomes a professor of astronomy, but that longing remains. He returns to Istanbul as an adult, seeking to reconnect with the passions of his youth, including his first love, Saime. Thankfully, this film does not turn into some saccharine fairy tale, but remains grounded in the truths of real life, that we don't always get the things we think we want, but usually end up getting just what we need.

Skillfully directed by Tassos Boulmetis, A Touch of Spice convincingly chronicles Fanis' life from childhood to adulthood and all the geographical and political changes he experiences. Beautifully shot, the filmmakers' passion for the region and its people shines through. (And all the delicious food on display doesn't hurt either, though it may make you hungry!) The alluring George Corraface leads a skilled trio of actors who portray Fanis through the years, and the family and friends who surround him are all uniquely drawn and immediately interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed A Touch of Spice, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a film both heartfelt and mouth-watering!

This film was really inspiring and encouraging. It is about following your passion, no matter what. This Greek film touches not only on the importance of cooking and following your dreams, but also on the importance of family. The main character in this film has a strong passion for cooking which was passed on to him from his grandfather. His grandfather owns a spice ship and teaches him how to use spices in making tasty and flavorful foods. When he is deported and forced to move away from his grandfather, his passion becomes even stronger. Even though he is discouraged from being a cook a lot of the time, he endures and continues to work towards his goals.
While the story has its ups and downs, it remains real and raw throughout the duration. It is about real life and the struggles that individuals must go through in order to maintain their happiness and the happiness of their families as well. Not only was the story beautiful, but the cinematography was too. Overall this was a great movie to watch from start to finish. I didn't want it to end!

Fantastic movie with a soft touch. I have recommended this movie to several friends and colleagues and the response has been excellent.

A family movie at it's core , Touch Of Spice tells the story of Fanis , who has to leave Istanbul at an early age for Athens , due to the difficult relationships between Greece and Turkey . The memories that have stayed in his mind more than anything , are the stories , recipies and knowledge about cooking his grandfather used to tell him , the time the two were spending together . At 45 , our hero has to go back in order to visit his grandpa who has suddently fallen ill .

The film had been one of the biggest hits of greek cinema in the past decade yet it's a strangely harmless , spineless proposition , totally apolitikal and rather mellow . Director Tasos Boulmentis has chosen to take as few risks as possible . Considering the huge iamount of money the production costed ( for greek standards always ) , maybe that's not so unexpected .

A Touch Of Spice avoids to examine the sensitive issues of that period in Greece's history . The script fails to convicingly present the simple love themes it choses to tell as well . When Fanis fo back to Istanbul , he meets a childhood friend played by the gorgeous turkish actress Basak Köklükaya . She used to dance for him in his grandfather's attic when they where little . She has never stopped loving him , she says and sheds a tear...ah come on! Weren't they , like , seven year olds when they last met ? Both Chorafas and Köklükaya are talented and beautiful yet they are given little to work with . As for the rest of the characters , they all remain strictly one dimensional as well through out the whole movie .

Overall ,the movie is sweet , nostalgic , feel good and withought any edge ( salt ? pepper ? ) whatsoever . More of a lost opportunity than a hit and miss then .

This film is outstanding and presents a beautiful point of view about a part of the world few understand. It also give voice to a point of view that is relevant and deep. It provides true insight to the human condition especially in light of a political reality and love across cultures. It is a film you can watch over and over again and is a rare gem in today's film market that has few good films like this one.

While shows and explains many aspects of the Greek culture , links it with a true love story that time and unexpected events try to erase . From childhood to maturity , the impact of family values and culture prevail in daily life and choices of all the characters . A soft political background is given , and enhances the whole story . Passion is fully explored ... no matter which , be it either family , abilities , work , or somone you love . And above all , teaches that passions , may and shall have a good reason beneath , if are based upon the values and good examples we acquire in childhood . A wonderfull and true love story . Of course the fact of being from Greek origin influenced my view , nevetheless shared by others I've recommended .

I had to watch this movie for a college class, Food and Drink in Cultural Context. The movie was not good, definitely B quality for story content. The acting was passable, but I would not recommend this movie, I could barely get through it.