 | Tabula Rasa - 2014
Young Hans has lost everything. His career, the connection with his homeland, even his will to live. Mak runs a humble restaurant and on one of her usual trips to the market, she stumbles upon Hans. She takes Hans under her wing just when he needs it the most... and when she needs him the most too. One warm meal could mean so much more than just food. Cooking not just out of necessity but cooking meals to feed the soul. |
Tabula rasa in Latin literally means a blank or a clean board, referring to the wax boards the Romans used in order to write. No matter what is written tho, if the wax is heated and smoothed out, it becomes a tabula rasa - a clean (or better yet, erased) space which we can use anew. To start again is always easier in theory than in practice especially when we remember what the wax said before we erased it.
It may sound as a bit of a stretch but "Tabula Rasa" illustrates brilliantly this precise moment of change that we've all experienced more than once in our lifetimes even. Not just that but the message is depicted in the image of something we oftentimes deem as more mundane than we can imagine - through food. The food that we all eat (hopefully) several times a day. The food that is a vital part of our well being and life to such extent that we forget about its spiritual worth. The movie delicately takes us on a journey not only through the wonderful cuisine of Indonesia but through the culture and soul of the local people. Meals are not just for blind consumption, to survive. They can also have history behind them - who we are, where we come from, where are we going. What do we feel even. The scenes I absolutely adored the most were set in the kitchen. Mak wasn't just cooking more so she was creating, molding with her two hands and with lots of love culinary masterpieces. Her character has a line about how the food, all of the food should pass through the hands of the cook. We see the food being created with such love and devotion - almost like a sacred ritual in the name of the holiest thing actually - food. And with food - life.
It may sound as a bit of a stretch but "Tabula Rasa" illustrates brilliantly this precise moment of change that we've all experienced more than once in our lifetimes even. Not just that but the message is depicted in the image of something we oftentimes deem as more mundane than we can imagine - through food. The food that we all eat (hopefully) several times a day. The food that is a vital part of our well being and life to such extent that we forget about its spiritual worth. The movie delicately takes us on a journey not only through the wonderful cuisine of Indonesia but through the culture and soul of the local people. Meals are not just for blind consumption, to survive. They can also have history behind them - who we are, where we come from, where are we going. What do we feel even. The scenes I absolutely adored the most were set in the kitchen. Mak wasn't just cooking more so she was creating, molding with her two hands and with lots of love culinary masterpieces. Her character has a line about how the food, all of the food should pass through the hands of the cook. We see the food being created with such love and devotion - almost like a sacred ritual in the name of the holiest thing actually - food. And with food - life.
Don't worry if you are not familiar with Indonesian cinema or the country as a whole. "Tabula Rasa" will guide you in the culture with a gentle smile and a warm Indonesian delicacy - much like the ones that are so crucial to the local culture. Dare I say this is one of those movies that you need not prepare to watch because it will prepare you. It will inspire, move and make you dream. And most certainly - it will make you crave Indonesian cuisine.
During the movie, the obvious tabula rasa were the lives of every character. Either by choice, tragedy or ill-doing, all were forced in a way to start anew. On a clean slate. With the end credits of the movie tho, still in the darkness of the theater, in a way, my own life felt like that smoothened and clean wax board. I felt ready for something new and exciting. I even wanted to cook but like Mak - with my soul.
"Tabula Rasa" as part of Sofia Fil Fest
Facebook page of the Embassy of Indonesia in Bulgaria
During the movie, the obvious tabula rasa were the lives of every character. Either by choice, tragedy or ill-doing, all were forced in a way to start anew. On a clean slate. With the end credits of the movie tho, still in the darkness of the theater, in a way, my own life felt like that smoothened and clean wax board. I felt ready for something new and exciting. I even wanted to cook but like Mak - with my soul.
"Tabula Rasa" as part of Sofia Fil Fest
Facebook page of the Embassy of Indonesia in Bulgaria
Author: Lilia Bozhinova
