Norway's Official Oscar entry Kitchen Stories is a funny, moving and beautifully observed little gem that has won hearts at Film Festivals around the world.

Folke is an employee of the Home Research Institute in conservative, post-war Sweden. Dispatched to a small Norwegian village'with a surplus of bachelors'Folke has been assigned to study the 'kitchen routines' of cantankerous old farmer Isak. Perched on a high, custom-designed chair in the corner of his subject's kitchen, Folke follows his clear instructions'observe and record, but do not interact in any way. Against their wills both men begin to break the rules and communicate. As a tentative friendship builds, trouble brews when Folke's protocol-obsessed supervisor arrives to observe proceedings, forcing Isak and Folke to play by 'The rules'.

'From Howard Hawks and Ridley Scott, many filmmakers have focussed on the conflict between science, which is presumably cold and rational, and volatile human needs. Few, however, have done it as humourously'or with as much heart'as Bent Hamer in Kitchen Stories' which should establish him once and for all as a unique comedic talent.' -Toronto International Film Festival

D/P/S Bent Hamer WS Celluloid Dreams L Norwegian, Swedish w/English subtitles TD 35mm/Col/2003/95mins

Bent Hamer was born in Sandefjord, Norway in 1956. Films include: Stone (1992, short), Eggs (1995), Water Easy Reach (1998).