Preview Stephen A Russell

TORTURE, sex and cannibalism seem unlikely bedfellows for a gourmet feast, but that’s exactly what Cinema Nova has in store for Melbourne Food and Wine Festival goers.

Debased, Devilish and Delicious is the latest cinematic cuisine team-up between Cinema Nova and pop-up food gurus Comida Bebe. This time they’re sinking their teeth into Peter Greenaway’s cult classic The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.

Brave cinema goers will be welcomed with an absinthe cocktail on arrival and then treated to a fabulous buffet in front of the silver screen. They will then be treated to a devilishly delectable main course with accompanying wine during the movie. The grand finale is a dessert never likely to be forgotten.

Cinema Nova food and beverage manager Tim Wastell says they’ll be pulling out all the stops and pushing the boundaries of good taste.

“It’s a bit of an adults only experience,” he says. “It’s a little bit of a cheeky flick. I think it will be an experience that transcends the audience’s concerns about graphic parts of the film and we’re matching alcohol with each course, which will certainly help with any squeamishness.”

Though he’s hesitant to reveal exactly what’s on the menu, he does hint that foie gras, oysters and truffles will all be making a cameo appearance.

Athens-born Comida Bebe chef Andreas Papadakis has played an integral role in fashioning the new Cinema Nova bar menu and previous gastronomic film events Sideways and Bottle Schock. He’s looking forward to working up some wicked wonders.

“The film is a little disturbing, a bit too much you could say, but it’s very artistic and there’s lots of eating and drinking,” he says. “The era is old-school French, simple, with a few twists. We’re trying to make it a little dramatic.”

A big fan of the film, he’s looking forward to the event. “I can’t wait to see the reaction from the guests, how they respond to the movie and the food.”

Wastell sees no reason why, with their fully-equipped kitchen and the Comida boys on board, the food shouldn’t be of restaurant standard. “We’re really trying to put it out there that food and wine are as much a part of the Nova experience as the film.”

With plans afoot to make these themed events monthly, I wonder if we’ll see a zombie movie served up with brains?

Wastell laughs heartily before responding that it’s seriously unlikely.

“I haven’t seen a decent zombie flick for a long time.”