Babette’s Feast (Orion, 1987, G)

Babette (Stéphane Audran) flees Paris and arrives at a small Protestant religious community on the coast of Denmark. The two daughters of the community’s late leader take her in and she serves them as their cook and housekeeper, free of charge, for many years. One day, she receives a letter notifying her that she has won a significant amount of money. When the commemoration of the 100th birthday of the community’s former leader is being planned, she asks to be allowed to prepare a feast for the community. She spends all of her money on an elaborate meal, one unlike anything the community has seen or tasted before. The story inspires reflection on grace, mercy, sacrifice, gifts and talents, spiritual and bodily hungers, and religious community. Should Babette have used her money in ways that addressed long-terms needs of the community? How is this feast like and unlike God’s grace? What is the proper use of one’s gifts in or for a community? How should we live when it is not possible to use our gifts to their fullest extent because of external circumstances? (Film is subtitled)