Soup & Cinema

Join us for a cozy afternoon of warm bowls and cool films as we kick off this new series with the charming Scandinavian and Soup & Cinema classic Kitchen Stories (Swedish/Norwegian). 

This clever and quietly funny film follows Swedish efficiency researchers who travel to rural Norway to study how Norwegian men use their kitchens. Assigned to observe the solitary Isak Bjørvik, researcher Folke Nilsson must follow strict rules: no interaction—just silent observation from an umpire’s chair placed in the kitchen. 

But things don't go as planned. Isak resists being studied, and instead of using his kitchen, begins observing Folke in return. Over time, the two lonely men—observer and observed—form an unlikely friendship that crosses both cultural boundaries and emotional walls. As the story unfolds, themes of loneliness, connection, and quiet companionship shine through in this understated gem. 

Enjoy a comforting lunch of delicious butternut squash soup, rustic bread, and fresh-baked cookies, followed by a film that’s sure to spark great conversation. 

Come for the comfort food, stay for the cinema and company. 

Host or Publisher Swedish Cultural Center