On May 18 and 19, 2026, the Confucius Institute of Artois invited Professor Luisa Prudentino, a long-time specialist in Chinese cinema studies, to conduct a series of cultural activities entitled “Chinese Gastronomy and Cinema” at Saint Paul - Lille and Institution Sainte Marie. Through film excerpts and interactive discussions, the activities introduced French students to Chinese culinary culture and the social and cultural meanings associated with food in Chinese society.
The series focused on the representation of gastronomy in Chinese cinema. Professor Prudentino presented the historical origins of Chinese culinary culture, the diversity of regional cuisines, and the symbolic role of food in family life and social relationships in China. Drawing on scenes from several Chinese films, including Eat Drink Man Woman, she demonstrated how Chinese cinema uses food, cooking, and family meals to portray emotional bonds and social interactions.
During the activities, students were also introduced to emblematic Chinese dishes, their cultural meanings, and the traditions associated with Chinese chefs and regional culinary techniques. Through cinematic characters and food-related scenes, students gained a better understanding of the diversity of Chinese regional cultures and the important place of gastronomy in everyday Chinese life.
The interactive sessions generated lively discussions, and students showed strong interest in the relationship between Chinese gastronomy and film art. Many participants commented that cinema provided an engaging and accessible way to discover Chinese culture, helping them better understand Chinese traditions of family reunion, hospitality, and sharing.
The atmosphere throughout the activities was warm and dynamic, with frequent exchanges between students and the speaker. Several students also shared their impressions after the sessions, noting that the activities offered a new and original approach to Chinese culture that differed from ordinary classroom teaching and increased their interest in Chinese cinema.
This series of activities on “Chinese Gastronomy and Cinema” formed an important part of the Confucius Institute of Artois’ efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and the dissemination of Chinese film culture. By combining cinema and gastronomy, the program not only deepened French students’ understanding of Chinese culture, but also further strengthened cultural exchanges between China and France.
