Movie Munchies

Every year I scan the Cleveland International Film Festival program book to see what’s cooking. Literally. Because there are usually at least a few food focused and culinary- themed movies plus others in which eating, cooking, or serving play a major or supporting role in the story. I star each one on my personal schedule- a long, complicated and aspirational list covering a broad swathe of the world and a wide range on interests that is subject to change- and try to see them all. The effort shapes the days and nights from March 18-March 28. I may not be able to get to each and every one- life, work, and pure visual exhaustion sometimes interfere- but I always intend to. And for me the hope that runs through the ten day stretch is half the fun.

I’ve carefully combed through the 100 plus pages of Films A-Z and found a veritable feast of thought provoking things to see.

-Bananas
a documentary from a Swedish director and producer, that explores the legal battle over Dole Food Company’s use of a harmful pesticide in Nicaragua. Sponsored by fire food and drink
March 27, 2:15 PM, March 28, 4:30 PM

-Colony
a partnership between two filmmakers one American the other Irish, the documentary is a look at the honeybee crisis and their importance to our food supply. Fest folks describe it as visually stunning
March 25, 9:35 PM, March 28, 7:20 PM

-Cooking History
a documentary comedy about war and food. Impossible to imagine and therefore essential to watch .
March 23, 7:15 PM, March 25, 2:25 PM

-Ingredients
a cinematic essay about the rise of the local food movement and the meaning of a sustainable food systems with an on screen appearance from Alice Waters
March 19, 4:50 PM, March 20, 2 PM followed by a discussion, March 21 11:45 AM

-Mid-August Lunch
an Italian movie so no matter what else it is about, the storyline, as the name suggests, really does include shopping, cooking, family gatherings around the table, and much drinking of wine
March 27, 7:30 PM, March 28, 12:10 PM

-What’s on Your Plate?
follows two kids as they learn where their food comes from so its no wonder the North Union Farmers Market is among of the sponsors
Match 27, 11:45 AM, March 28, 2 PM

Foodish
-A Matter of Size
one of those whoda thunk subjects- an overweight Israeli, whose mother complains about her fat sonbut fixes him food nonetheless, bands together with others of his size to form the country’s first sumo team that gets wrestling lessons from the owner of a sushi restaurant . how can i not see this?
March 20, 7:45 PM, March 21, 4:45 PM

-Villon’s Wife
based on a group of short stories. a Japanese woman takes a job at a pub to repay her n’er-do-well husband’s debt, thrives in this new life, and becomes empowered to change her relationship to him
March 23, 11:40 AM, March 25, 6:45 PM

TV TIME OUT

-Shifting from big screen fare to television, mark your calendars for Monday, March 22. Momocho will be featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives at 10pm on the Food Network. The viewing party is at Eric Williams' other place The Happy Dog on West 58th and Detroit. Fun begins at 8pm

Fun Four Ways

Mark your calendars, make your reservations, and get your tickets. There are places to be, things to do, and stuff to see for foodheads and culture connoisseurs coming up in the next couple of weeks. Some of it’s free and all promises to be good fun.

-Feb 2
Not content with being known as an extraordinarily accomplished-and cool-chef, Jonathon Sawyer decided to get into beer making. He partnered up with Buckeye Brewing in Lakewood to ferment something special for Greenhouse Tavern customers. They made a Belgian style farmhouse ale, and selected Groundhog Day, Feb 2, to tap the first seven barrels of Saison de Maison. To make it even more of an event, Punxsutawney Phil will be on screen all day and Groundhog burgers (don’t ask) are on the menu.

photo of Groundhog Jay courtesy of Greenhouse Tavern

-Feb 8
TV celebrity Guy Fieri came to town many months ago and filmed a lot of footage. The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives segment spotlighting Melt Bar and Grilled, the place that has redefined the word sandwich, airs on the Food Network Feb 8. Owner and big cheese Matt Fish, dubbed one of Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People, will host a viewing party at the Detroit Avenue restaurant. Check the website for details.

behind the scenes photo courtesy of The Food Network and Melt

-Feb 6
CityMusic Cleveland, the acclaimed chamber orchestra, known for the extraordinary quality of their music making and free performances, is joined by celebrated cellist Matt Haimovitz. Led by conductor Danail Rachev, the group will play pieces by Schubert, Shostakovich, and Mozart at five different locations Feb 3-7. But Haimovitz likes to bring classical music into unlikely and nontraditional venues. So on Saturday night, starting around 10:15 PM, following the concert at the Shrine of St. Stanislaus Church in Slavic Village, he’ll be playing the Vivaldi Cello Concerto at Anatolia Café, the Turkish restaurant on Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. CityMusic’s calling it a jam session so I suspect other musicians might show up, instruments in hand. This could be one of those nights you talk about for the rest of your life. Plus you get to eat and drink while listening. If you want a table, reservations are recommended (216-321-4400).

photo courtesy of www.myspace.com/matthaimovitz

-Feb 9
The husband and I are having our second annual Taxel Creative Group Loft Party- Food for Thought- to benefit the Cleveland International Film Festival at our Prospect Avenue studio. We’ve invited three great chefs- Michael Annandono of Michaelangelo’s, Matt Mathlage of Light Bistro, and Jonathan Bennett of Moxie and Red –to come talk about the "ah ha" food moments and experiences that put them on the culinary career path. They’ll share stories about what made them realize that food is wonderful and cooking the thing they wanted to do and then answer questions from the audience. Not only are the guys generously giving us their time, they’re bringing food too, and we’ll have beverages on hand so no one will go thirsty. We start pouring and passing at 7 PM . Ticketing info at the Festival website