You are here:

Cooking History

Name: Cooking History
Director: Peter Kerekeš
Released: 2009
Duration: 88 min

Representation Score

1.6/10

Minimal

2009

Director

Peter Kerekeš

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Cooking History shifts the focus from generals to the logistical necessity of feeding soldiers, offering a unique perspective on military history. By centering the labor of sustenance, it subtly disrupts traditional 'Great Man' historical narratives. However, the film primarily serves as a historical survey of logistics rather than a critique of social identity. It lacks intentionality regarding characters who reflect more than one aspect of diversity or the deconstruction of institutional power structures. While the wide geographical scope provides a multi-ethnic backdrop, the film prioritizes the universality of military sustenance over the specific ability to act of diverse ethnic groups.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Cooking History have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters or stories related to LGBTQ+ identities or non-straight relationships. Its focus is on military logistics and historical recipes.

How does Cooking History portray gender?

Limited

The documentary looks at military history, which is traditionally dominated by masculine roles. While it highlights the role of cooks, it does not explicitly challenge traditional gender hierarchies.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Cooking History?

Fair

The narrative covers diverse regions including France, the Balkans, and Russia. It acknowledges a multi-ethnic landscape through its wide geographical and temporal scope.

How does Cooking History represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film adopts a materialist view of history, focusing on physical needs rather than religious or nationalist morality. It provides a systemic look at how institutions function through food.

Does Cooking History include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film's historical and logistical focus.

Present on Screen

Shifts historical focus from combat glory to the essential labor of sustenance.
Provides a broad geographical scope spanning France, the Balkans, and Russia.
Offers a materialist, systemic view of history through a culinary lens.

Limited or Absent

Lacks intentionality in representing specific LGBTQ+ or non-straight identities.
Does not explicitly challenge traditional masculine archetypes within military history.
Fails to explore the specific ability to act of diverse ethnic or multi-layered groups.

Official Synopsis

A documentary about army cooks and how the everyday needs of thousands of armed stomachs affect the victories and defeats of statesmen. The film is based on eleven meals based on recipes from the Second World War till the war in Chechnya; from France through the Balkans to Russia.

How are these scores produced? →