A LA BELLE ETOILE/ SUGAR AND STARS

France, 2023, 110 minutes, Colour.

Riadh Belaiche, Loubna Abidar, Marwan Amesker, Dycosh, Georges Corraface.

Directed by Sebastien Tulard.

Here is a cooking tale for a wide audience. While the French title means “Under the Stars”, and that is relevant for the experiences of the central character, Yazid (Algerian-born actor with charm, Riadh Balaiche) who for many years lived out in the open, literally under the stars, the English title by introducing Sugar, is very much to the point. Yes, this is a cooking story, but it is a cooking story about desserts, elegant French desserts, ingredients, appearance, style.

But, interwoven with the cooking story is the history of the young boy, Yazid (an engaging performance by Marwan Amesker), very much a social history story about migrants to France, difficulties, foster families, life for teenagers in an institution. In fact, the narrative goes back and forth, having Yazid in the present remembering what it was like in the 1990s when he was a little boy, and also remembering what his life was when he ventured into a Paris chef’s kitchen is in 2006. (The present of the story is 2013 into 2014 and the international competition for Pastry Chefs.)

At first, Yazid’s story is a sad one. His mother, Samia (Luke Abbey do, Moroccan-born) is not dependable, drugs, absent father, the boy dragged to social welfare and his mother with her con-tale scrounging finances. But, a kindly couple become an alternative family for Yazid, the mother and father older, the father with his background as a chef, their teenage son an enthusiastic teacher for Yazid who begins to make cakes, finds that he has a talent. And, all the time, his mother coming to get him, harsh times at home, his taking refuge with the foster family.

In his mid teens, Yazid is in a government institution, a harsh superintendent who wants to get rid of him, misjudges him (racial discrimination). However, when he makes a cake which delights everyone, the assistant director supports him, urging him to run away. Yazid does go to Paris to work with the famous chef, who does not treat fools gladly, but once he tastes one of Yazid’s desserts, decides to employ him, Yazid coming each day by train, 180 km, for the kitchen experience. By 2013, he is a chef at Riviera restaurant, put down by the jealous co-dessert chef, but good friends with Manu, another migrant who is put down constantly with prejudice. He cannot afford accommodation and, fears, sleeps under the stars.

Yazid’s ambition is to win competitions, especially the world competition, and uses his being accused falsely and sacked from the restaurant, to insinuate himself into the good graces of a previous customer who runs an extensive food empire who agrees to be his sponsor.

Long story short, not spoiling the plot, because we know that there will be great attention to the competition, the different stages, the Internationality (from Belgium to Japan), the array of cakes, their look, our being envious of the judges who sit there tasting all, the ice sculptures, Yazid moved by the illness of his mother, his happiness at having his foster parents and money to at the competition, and a nice, happily-tearful climax.

The film is based on a book by Yazid and gives final photos of him, family and Manu, as well as information about what he has achieved in his chosen vocation in the last decade.

1.    The popularity of cooking films? Audience interest in social problem films? The combination here?

2.    The story based on an actual character, his book, the information at the end, photos?

3.    The title, literally Under the Stars, Yazid and his sleeping out for years, appreciating the stars? The English title, the introduction of the theme of Sugar, chefs for desserts, pastries, style and service?

4.    The 1990s, the young boy, migrant, his mother and her dependencies, absent father, the harsh upbringing, the spoiling of his sneakers, going to social services, his mother and her con-story getting money? Irresponsible at home? The foster family, the parents and their welcoming, the son and his explanations about cooking cakes, the father and his chef background? The boy feeling at home with them, taking refuge with them?

5.    2006, Yazid as a teenager, the institution, the range of boys in care, their training, dormitory style, fights, the severity of the director, her interviews with Yazid, wanting to get rid of him? The Deputy, his background, supporting Yazid, finally urging him to run away? The young people, the young man with a moustache and his singing, the blond man and his fights, sex talk…?

6.    Yazid going to Paris, the reputation of the chef, travelling the 180 km, talking back to the chef, given a trial, his making the cake, the chef changing his mind, employing him, the demands, the pressures on Yazid, getting some sleep, catching and missing the train, the work? The support of the fellow workers?

7.    Yazid as a character, sympathetic, his charm, given his difficult background, his coming through? Determination, convictions, the scenes showing him preparing the ingredients, mixing, cooking, tasting, the deserts, his achievement?

8.    2013, on the Riviera, the hotel, the nasty rivalry, the friendship of Manu, the appreciation of the chef and her finding a room for Yazid? His living outside? The distinguished guest, is calling for Yazid and appreciation? The rival, the rotten fruit, Yazid being sacked? His getting a job at the bar, approaching the entrepreneur, making a claim, getting the sponsorship?

9.    The international competition, Yazid and his training, the sponsor, the help of Manu?

10.                       Six months, the competition, preparations, with Manu, with the stoves, the entry, the area, the power going off? The cheering audience, the international competitors, flag-waving, observing the cooking, the range of items over the six hours, the judges in their tastings? The ice sculpture? The background of Yazid and his sculpting, the female torso, in chocolate, for the competition, its breaking, his not being able to go to that competition? The da Vinci theme, the ice sculptures, the impact of his mother, the final sculpture?

11.                       The judgements, the French win, the achievement? The collaboration between the chefs and their supervisor?

12.                       His mother, in hospital, his making the cake for her, a reconciliation with her through his ice sculpture?

13.                       The foster parents, their being present for the competition, rejoicing? Manu and his sitting next to the entrepreneur?

14.                       The further information about Yazid and his book, his decisions, local support, achievement?