Class satire has become its own trend in cinema in recent years. It’s a very particular flavour that’s equal parts spectacle and commentary, where the characteristic sheen of the lifestyle of the elite is memorably tarnished by an entrance of the bizarre. A Fermenting Woman by Priscilla Galvez falls snugly within this trend. A horror film with a culinary theme, the short film follows the artistic struggle of an accomplished chef, Marielle Lau (Sook-Yin Lee) whose job is threatened after her restaurant undergoes a change in ownership.
The character-focused narrative makes the viewing experience quite compelling. A sharp, sinister tone sets in place to form the opening scene itself, coloured by Marielle’s intense frustrations. A master fermenter, she possesses a touch of eccentricity. Amidst worries about her job security, Marielle also has to contend with the secret disdain of her coworkers; she appears to be losing her touch. There is an elaborate concoction of suspicion, frustration, and conspiracy that builds within the first few scenes that deserves solid appreciation.
The most important element to the narrative is the power dynamic — a renowned chef who, having reached the highest levels of achievement in her field, finds herself subject to the whims and ignominies of an irreverent new management team. The secret, taboo ingredient comes in at this point as a direct metaphor for her creative soul, which she is forced to twist into perverse, marketable forms.
The only place this synergy breaks is in Lee’s performance, which reaches for some truly grotesque moods at times — choreographed reactions of a complex suspicion in the natto scene; the hints of a vulgar, maniacal delirium of victory in the final scene before the pain kicks in — yet, these fail to manifest fully, and make for a noticeable break in the experience. Nevertheless, A Fermenting Woman is clearly cut from the same cloth as the most popular elevated horror films of recent years.
There is a meticulousness to the film. From the many sinister shots, to the visceral sound effects, to the sinister hints of added backstories, Galvez is a filmmaker with a precise vision, and has worked with a team with the know-how to make this vision come to life.
The 28th edition of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival runs in-person and online November 13-24. For tickets, scheduling, and other details about this year’s programming, visit the festival’s website.
