The latest anthology drama series from HBO, Food Lore is scheduled to air on November 3, 2019. The eight-hour-long series explores social conditions with stories inspired by Asian food.
Driven by Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo, the shooting of this series took place in eight Asian countries, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and directed by several famous filmmakers. Among them, Erik Matti from the Philippines, Phan Dang Di from Vietnam, Billy Christian from Indonesia, Don Aravind from Singapore, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang from Thailand, Takumi Saitoh from Japan and Ho Yuhang from Malaysia.
Based on the press release received Food Lorepresenting stories with spices of love and made to arouse tastes, as well as favourite home cooking. An emotional adventure full of passion, full of happy memories and a touch of Asia will also colour the series. Each episode has a different sound, tone and narration.
The following is a synopsis of this latest HBO series.
Episode 1 – Food Lore: Island of Dreams
Longing for a better future for families, Nieves leaves her husband and children to become household assistants in Manila. When returning home for an annual party, Nieves then realized that he had become a stranger to his beloved family when the unexpected return turned into something unexpected.
The episode, directed by Filipino director Erik Matti, stars Angeli Bayani, John Marvin C. Nieto, and Irina Guillen Feleo.
Episode 2 – Food Lore: He Serves Fish, She Eats Flower
Set in Ho Chi Minh City, a charismatic Japanese chef, Thang, teases a beautiful flight attendant with a special dessert made from tofu to captivate the heart. They start a passionate romance, but then realize the contrasting differences in food and love. In desperation, Thang made a cooking experiment to keep his girlfriend with him.
This episode is directed by director Phan Dang Di and stars Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh with Lanh Thanh.
Episode 3 – Food Lore: Maria’s Secret Recipe
When the mysterious female figure, Maria, arrives on the coast of a traditional Indonesian village to open a food stall, the men are fascinated by her cooking and sexiness – making the wives disappointed. In an effort to satisfy her husband, Ratih, a lonely wife, approached Maria to learn the secret recipe. What did Maria teach about creating something interesting and more important, who was Maria?
This episode will be directed by the film director Tuyul and The Sacred of Riana, Billy Christian. Ayudya’s daughter, Alexandra Gottardo, and Dian Sidik were lined up as the star of the Food Lore Indonesia episode.
Episode 4 – Food Lore: A Plate of Moon
Anbu, a reluctant young Indian household assistant, is hired to care for Raja, an elderly person in Singapore who has Alzheimer’s disease. In the midst of struggle and difference, they become close because of food, love and memories. When everything is going well, unexpected news makes Anbu’s world mess again.
The episode, which was filmed and set in Singapore, was directed by director Don Aravind with Magalakshmi D / O Sudarsanan, Jaivant Viknesh N, and A. Panneeirchelvam starring in the episode.
Episode 5 – Food Lore: The Caterer
An arrogant American actor arrives in Thailand for the first time to star in a horror film. Disgusted by exotic Thai dishes, he remains steadfast in the food he knows: burgers and doughnuts. Everything changed when he tasted the soup cooked by a caterer.
This episode stars Thanyarat Praditthaen, Thomas Burton van Blarcom, and Marisa Kittelberger with direction from director Pen-Ek Ratanaruang.
Episode 6 – Food Lore: Tamarind
French chef Julie, who has just settled in Singapore, asks the help of Irfan, a food vendor, to create a new fusion meal. As the two worlds come together, the two of them begin to bond with friends from working together to explore food, taste and feelings.
Starring Firdaus Bin Abdul Rahman, Valentine Payen, Dayang Nurbalqis, this episode is directed by Eric Khoo.
Episode 7 – Food Lore: Life in a Box
An author of a picture book with no inspiration. A widower and his daughter. A former wrestler. Their loneliness is connected in a quiet train journey away from the bustle of Tokyo when they recall memories of the past and rediscover hope from a journey of nostalgia, memories and love.
Starring Ken Yasuda, Asuka Kawatoko, Akihisa Mera, Yuko Ando, and Chieko Matsubara, this episode is under the direction of Takumi Saitoh.
Episode 8 – Food Lore: Stray Dogs
An ambitious businessman, Tim, hopes to start a restaurant franchise with Maki, a grumpy but smart chef, in Kuala Lumpur. The grumpy chef refused Tim but slowly formed an unusually friendly relationship. When Tim discovered the secret of Maki’s sauce, his mind was torn between wanting to sell the recipe and his loyalty to the friend.
Starring Wilson Tin and Fabian Loo this episode takes place in Malaysia with Ho Yuhang as the director of this episode.
