A Spice for Life

A Spice for Life
FinnishMestari Cheng
Directed byMika Kaurismäki
Written byHannu Oravisto
Produced byMika Kaurismäki
Starring
CinematographyJari Mutikainen
Edited byTuuli Kuittinen
Music by
  • Anssi Tikanmäki
  • Eemil Tikanmäki
  • Eljas Tikanmäki
Production
companies
Release date
  • 27 September 2019 (2019-09-27)
Running time
114 minutes
CountriesFinland
China
LanguagesFinnish
Mandarin
English
Budget€2.9 million

A Spice for Life, also released as Master Cheng,[1] (original Finnish title: Mestari Cheng) is a 2019 Finnish romantic drama comedy film directed by Mika Kaurismäki. The film stars Anna-Maija Tuokko, Chu Pak Hong, Kari Väänänen, Lucas Hsuan and Vesa-Matti Loiri, with dialogue in Finnish, Mandarin and English.[2]

The story concerns the Chinese master cook Cheng (Hong), who travels to the small village of Raattama in Kittilä, Lapland, with his son. Cheng's cooking causes an overhaul of local life and cures local people of ailments ranging from high blood pressure to menstrual pain. The story also touches on aspects of childlessness and of losing one's spouse.

The film was premiered in Finland 27 September 2019 and in China in January 2020.

  1. ^ "Master Cheng (A Spice For Life)". SBS. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Master Cheng". BBC IPlayer. Retrieved 18 February 2023.