《gourmets alive》 is a 12-episode food culture documentary produced by CCTV Documentary Channel. Each episode is about 15 minutes long and will be first broadcast on April 29, 2022.This documentary uses four famous literary giants in history, Lu Xun, Su Shi, Cao Xueqin, and Bai Juyi as clues, and shows China's long-standing food culture through their indissoluble bond with food.
Lu Xun: The first three episodes go deep into Lu Xun's life, revealing that he was not only a profound thinker, but also a gourmet who loved life and especially liked sweets.From Shaoxing's hometown delicacies to Beijing's various delicacies, Mr. Lu Xun's table philosophy is demonstrated, such as fennel beans, drunken shrimps, crabs, etc., as well as his special preference for sweets.
Su Shi: The next three episodes focus on Su Shi, who is not only a literary giant, but also an avid lover of food. He calls himself “his life is busy”.From Dongpo Pork to Lychees, it records how he found the joy and philosophy of life in food, and how he used food to soothe his soul in the midst of displacement.
Cao Xueqin's Chapter: Through the dietary details in "Dream of Red Mansions", it shows Cao Xueqin's delicate description of food, from the feast of Jia's family to the simple food in his personal abject life, reflecting his life changes and yearning for a better life..
Bai Juyi Chapter: The last chapter tells the story of Bai Juyi's food. He recorded his life in poetry. Food and pain and joy coexist. From his love for bamboo shoots to various foods in life, it reflects his optimism in the face of adversity.
《gourmets alive》Through vivid scene reproductions, dialect dialogues, and modern Internet-style explanations, history and food are cleverly combined. It not only allows the audience to understand the eating habits of literary giants, but also explores in-depth through the medium of food.Their philosophy of life and background of the times.The documentary brings historical figures to life in a relaxed and humorous way, allowing the audience to feel the warmth and depth of history while enjoying food culture.
