Makor introduces a new monthy series beginning next week, the Food on Film Salon. Screenings are at the Steinhardt Building, 35 West 67th Street, and a 4-film subscription is available for $50. Definitely a series of films worth checking out, plus some interesting post screening discussions. More details from the press release:
Eat This New York (2003)
How many of us talk wistfully of opening our own restaurant? Billy Phelps and John McCormick try to realize this dream on a not yet trendy street corner in Williamsburg. As Billy and Jeff suffer through financial crisis, the loss of their chef, and a crumbling relationship, the camera turns on New York City's legendary restaurateurs (Daniel Boulud, Sirio Maccioni, Keith McNally, Drew Nieporent, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Danny Meyer) who prove that dreams really can come true.
Directors: Kate Novack and Andrew Rossi Runtime: 85 min
Featuring post screening discussion with Le Cirque owner Sirio Maccioni, and directors Andrew Rossi and Kate Novack, moderated by Peter Elliot of The Bloomberg Executive Dining Guide radio show.
Wed Sep 8 / 7:30PM / $15 (discussion)
Super Size Me (2004)
Morgan Spurlock boldly assesses McDonald's claim that their food can be good for you. A healthy 33 year old, Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald's food for thirty days, and as a result gains thirty pounds, loses his sex drive and faces liver failure. Astounding revelations about fast-food culture and America's obesity epidemic highlight this successful indie documentary.
Director: Morgan Spurlock Runtime: 96 min
Featuring post screening discussion with Alexandra Jamieson, vegan chef featured in Super Size Me, Anna Lappé author of Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet, and Bryant Terry, Executive Director of b-healthy! on September 14th.
Mon Sep 13 / 7 + 9PM/ $9
Tues Sep 14 / 7:30PM / $15 (discussion)
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
A delightful troupe of self-important, hollow socialites attempt over and over to sit down for a meal together. Dinner, the social ritual of the middle class, is constantly interrupted by secrets that lurk beneath the surface of this decaying European aristocracy: witlessness, adultery, drug dealing, cheating, military coups, perversion and the paralysis of boredom. A hilarious satire of upper class values, pointing out the subtle absurdities that constitute bourgeois presumptions and behaviors. In French with English subtitles.
Director: Luis Bunuel Runtime: 102 min
Post screening discussion with acclaimed pastry chef Bill Yosses of Joseph's and culinary historian Alexandra Leaf, author of The Impressionist Table, moderated by freelance food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark.
Tues Oct 12 / 7:30PM/ $15 (discussion)
Babette's Feast (1987)
In 1871 Babette fleas Paris to care for two aging sisters in a remote Danish village. For fourteen years she quietly tends to the sister's needs, cooking awful daily meals of reconstituted dried fish and a gruel made from bread and ale. Then, one day, she receives a letter from France announcing that she has won the lottery. Babette goes for broke, using the winnings to cook a feast. In this masterpiece of a meal, Babette confronts the uneducated palate, awakening interest, creating excitement and bringing the villagers together, color in their cheeks, for the first time. In Danish with English subtitles.
Director: Gabriel Axel Runtime: 102 min
Featuring post screening discussion with Rick Moonen, chef and owner of RM and Niloufar Motamed, Food Editor from Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Thurs Nov 4/ 7:30PM/ $15 (discussion)