After almost 30 years, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey have reunited again for The Hundred Foot Journey.
Featuring a cast that includes Dame Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Juhi Chawla and Manish Dayal, the film tells the inspirational story of an Indian family who relocates to a small village in France, where they open an Indian restaurant across the stress from a French eatery ran by Madame Mallory [Mirren].
Winfrey and Spielberg last worked together in the 1985 hit classic The Color Purple.
Speaking about the collaboration, Spielberg said:
“Oprah and I have certainly known each for quite a long time, back when I cast her as Sofia in The Color Purple.
We’ve always kept in touch and love talking movies and life together. Oprah’s very important book club embraced Richard C. Morais’s book and when Juliet Blake optioned the rights to make the film, she brought it to Oprah and myself and we felt it was the perfect time to reunite on our own Hundred Foot Journey and produce this film together.”
Spielberg also commented on the underlying message of the film, explaining that it demonstrated how apparent differences between cultures can be bridged.
I would like people to see this film with an understanding that sometimes an apparent abyss between cultures can easily be remedied over a wonderful meal.”
Food and fusion of cultures and ideas are better accomplished in a very relaxed state of mind that can literally take place with breaking bread.
In this case, French bread. With a little tandorri thrown in.”
The Hundred Foot Journey is directed by Oscar winner Lasse Hallstrom and will be released on August 8.
