Tran Anh Hung

'The Taste of Things,' which hopes to win an Oscar nod in January, is a sumptuous 19th century romance about a cook.

Controversy has simmered around France's entry for the Oscars, "The Taste of Things," a love letter to the country's culinary traditions but filmmaker Tran Anh Hung and star chef Pierre Gagnaire say the art of cooking is worth celebrating.

The 53rd International Antalya Film Festival won't be short of any star power when it begins on Oct. 16, as the guest of honor at this year's edition of Turkey's premier film festival will be French actress Audrey Tautou.

Tautou will meet festival-goers during the screening of "Eternity" by Vietnamese-born French director Tran Anh Hung.