Documentary offers food for thought

There are many TV programs on Chinese cuisines, but few are like A Bite of China. The latest seven-part high-definition documentary offers insights into the geographical, historical and cultural dimensions of what Chinese eat.

關于中國美食的電視節目數不勝數,但很少有像《舌尖上的中國》這樣從地域、歷史以及文化等方面深入探討中國人的飲食.

There are many TV programs on Chinese cuisines, but few are like A Bite of China. The latest seven-part high-definition documentary offers insights into the geographical, historical and cultural dimensions of what Chinese eat.

這部最新的七集高清紀錄片由曾拿過大獎的紀錄片制作人陳曉卿執導,從珍饈佳肴到地方小吃,用影像為觀眾呈現出各種令人垂涎欲滴的食物,同時該紀錄片也用鏡頭記錄下各種菜肴精致悅目的制作過程,理所當然地吸引了美食家以及普通觀眾的關注.

The latest seven-part high-definition documentary helmed by award-winning documentary maker Chen Xiaoqing, it is filled with mouthwatering images of food ranging from haute cuisine to local delicacies, the documentary captures the beautiful and refined process of food-making. The program is sure to attract both food buffs and ordinary audiences.

該片每集時長50分鐘,主題涵蓋了從食材到腌制品等各個方面.陳曉卿表示,"我們的節目則別出心裁,試圖呈現出更多有關菜肴的文化元素,如飲食習慣和飲食道德."

Each episode lasts 50 minutes. Themes range from ingredients to preserved food. "The program tries to bring something new by presenting more cultural elements related to dishes, such as eating habits and the ethics of eating", Chen says.

這部紀錄片帶給我們的額外驚喜是,它并不僅僅展現美食.每一集都聚焦于不同的人群,講述著人們和食物的美食奇遇."俗話說,'人如其食'."陳曉卿說,"食物總是與人聯系在一起.紀錄片里那些生動鮮活、令人垂涎的影像背后,是反映了人們生活環境和生活態度的親身經歷.這也是該片的獨特元素之一."

The bonus is, the show is not only about dishes. Every episode will highlight different people, who will tell stories about their adventures with food. "As a saying goes, 'you are what you eat'," Chen says. "Food is always connected with people. Behind the documentary's eye-popping and mouthwatering images are personal stories that reflect people's living situations and attitudes. That's another component that makes it distinctive."

此外,《舌尖上的中國》在展現美食文化的同時,也捕捉到了社會的變革,例如大家庭中成員分散在各處,大家都在外工作,留下空巢老人在家鄉生活.這種情況下,美食可以提醒人們去追憶美好時光,也成為家庭團聚時的餐桌佳品.

A Bite of China captures social transformations while presenting food cultures, such as showing the dispersion of extended families that leave the elderly in their hometowns while other members work outside - cases in which food serves as reminders of happy times and centerpieces of reunions.

詞語注釋：

數不勝數(shǔ bù shēng shǔ)shǔ bù shēng shǔ

珍饈佳肴(zhēnxiū jiāyáo)delicacy

垂涎欲滴(chuí xián yù dī)mouthwatering; lick one's chops

精致(jīngzhì)refine

涵蓋(hángài)range; cover

腌制(yānzhì)preserved

別出心裁(bié chū xīn cái)break new ground

空巢老人(kōngcháo lǎorén)empty nest elders

(Source: myechinese.com)