Babette’s Feast is imprinted on my heart forever.

I was in my early 20s and it was going to be a cold winter weekend with a blizzard of snow and howling wind. The kind of weekend where you happily leave the world outside and hunker down with books, apples, a cozy blanket, soup on the stove, and a movie waiting for the evening. I lived alone and I had a tiny television set and VCR. (Remember those?) When I got off work on Friday night, I headed to the local Blockbuster store to see what new movies were available. And after thirty minutes of rejecting a bunch of boring comedies, I decided to try something new. I headed to the Foreign Film section. And there I found a movie that looked interesting and it had recently won an Oscar. It was my first foreign movie, so I made sure it had English subtitles. Little did I know then, that the movie Babette’s Feast clasped in my hand would change me forever. And hopefully it will inspire you to write about a movie that changed you!

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Later, when I was snuggled on the couch with my blanket and a bowl of soup the size of my head, I started the movie. Within a few minutes I was completely in Babette’s world.

Set in 19th century Denmark, a French woman unexpectedly arrives on the doorstep of two elderly and pious sisters. She holds a letter from someone they used to know; and she offers her services as a housekeeper and cook in exchange for room and board. They agree to bring her into their home. She is mysterious but also kind, devoted, and her cooking and calm presence bring much contentment to the sisters for many years.

“An artist is never poor.”

– Babette

And then something changes where Babette is given the opportunity to show who she really is. I’m not going to spoil the movie for you and tell you everything. However, you must watch it!

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Babette’s Feast was written by one of my favorite authors

I later found out Babette’s Feast was published in 1958 by one of my favorite authors, Karen Blixen, who went by the pseudonym Isak Dinesen. If that name rang a bell, it’s because she also published Out of Africa in 1937.

And then it all made sense. Because Karen Blixen’s gorgeous writing about Africa had me in tears for days. And only someone with a writer’s heart like hers could have written a masterpiece like Babette’s Feast. Karen Blixen knew I needed Babette’s Feast on that cold winter night.

Which is why I’ve probably watched it 10x throughout my life so far.

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And so why did Babette’s Feast have such a powerful impact on me? Then and now?

The movie inspired me to go to France, which I did a few years later and became a lifelong lover of. I also was inspired by the food and it ignited and expanded my love of cooking and trying new and classical recipes. I discovered how delicious real champagne and raw oysters were, especially together!

And Babette’s Feast taught me to never suppress my gifts of creativity. That even if you’re currently in a job that may not fulfill who you are, it doesn’t mean your gifts will disappear. (That was certainly me in my 20s.) And that when you allow yourself to be who you really are? Your gifts can bring much joy to others and most importantly, to yourself.

As Babette says, “An artist is never poor.”

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Now It’s Your Turn!

What is a movie that changed you forever?

Why did it impact you? What stage of your life were you in? Have you rewatched it?

Like good books, I think superb movies that touch your soul are meant to be watched several times through your life.

Because the lessons and reminders tend to show up exactly when you need them.

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