Food Lore

About Food Lore

Food Lore is an Asian anthology drama series released on HBO Asia in 2020, revolving around the significance and diverse traditions of food and cooking in Asian societies. Each episode is directed by a different person from a different Asian country, and each tells a unique story, reaching into the heart of the human experience through a lens of food and culture. Through the universal language of food, the collection of eight stories explores what it means to be human, spotlighting the deep emotional connections we have with cuisine.

Making / Production

Food Lore is produced by HBO Asia. The eight episodes are each set in different Asia locations, including Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. These episodes were directed by Eric Khoo, Phan Dang Di, Billy Christian, Takumi Saitoh, Don Aravind, Ho Yu Hang, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, and Erik Matti respectively, each showcasing their unique understanding and perspective on their culture's culinary tradition and its connection to human experience.

Actors

• Wilson Tin as Ah Seng in Episode "Island of Dreams" - Plays a loving and dutiful immigrant worker who's eager for his daughter to appreciate their homeland's culture and traditions.
• Tran Nu Yen Khe as Ngoc in Episode "He Serves Fish, She Eats Flower" - Plays a tofu seller who struggles with her emotional world, yearning for a connection she's lost.
• Dewi Sa in Episode "Maria's Secret Recipe" - Portrays a reticent woman who has been within the shadows for a long time, but whose traditional rendang recipe holds a special influence.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Each episode represents different Asian country's popular dishes and is directed by a director native to that country, focusing on the unique food culture of that location.
• The anthology series was premiered at the Culinary Cinema section of the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival.
• "Food Lore" is the second anthology by HBO Asia following "Folklore," which focused on the horror genre.

Awards

As of now, 'Food Lore' has not won any major awards.

Quotes

• "Dad, you’re the best cook in the world!" - Ah Seng's daughter in 'Island of Dreams'
• "Nothing like good food to break the ice." - Hector in 'A Plate at the Table'

Music, Soundtrack

• The score includes stunning and atmospheric pieces from various regions of Asia, further immersing the audience in the setting and culture of each episode.
• While each episode has its unique musical mood, composers Alexandre Navarro, Vivek Maddala, and Yudhi Ardony have also contributed to the series.