Spotlight on Italian films in Culinary Program at the 64th Berlin Film Festival

“We like it hot… but don’t let it burn” is the motto of the Culinary Cinema. “The use of fire and our ability to cook distinguishes us from all other living beings. Yet fire also poses a threat to future generations, for global warming has reached dangerous levels. Let’s do something about it, and leave no stone unturned,” says Festival Director Dieter Kosslick.

Fifteen films in this series about food and the environment will be presented. Following the 7.30 pm screenings, star chefs Daniel Achilles, Matthias Diether, Michael Kempf, Tim Raue and the Roca brothers will each serve a meal inspired by one of the films in the “Gropius Mirror” restaurant, an elegant tent lined with mirrors.

The Italian films set to be screened are... the documentary, "I Cavaliere della Laguna" (see trailer above), by Walter Bencini, about a fishing cooperative on the coast of Tuscany; Raffaele Andreassi's 1957 film, "I maccheroni" which is set in the Pugliese town of Gargano and recounts the tradition of Sunday lunch with a plate of macaroni and bolognese sauce; and Jonathan Nossiter's documentary, "Natural Resistance" which documents how Italian winemakers, who rely on local traditions, are forced to challenge regulations set by the European Union.

I am especially impressed by the festival's choice of showing Raffaele Andreassi's film, "I maccheroni." The film is virtually impossible to find online, and Andreassi was not a very high profile filmmaker. In 1960, he was awarded the Silver Berlin Bear for his short film, "I vecchi." So, perhaps festival organizers have a special place in their hearts for him. In any event, it'll be a real treat and a rare opportunity for audiences to see this film!

Below is a complete list of films. For more information, check out the Berlin Film Festival online... http://www.berlinale.de/en/HomePage.html

Films in Culinary Cinema 2014:

3 Acres in Detroit – France / USA

By Nora Mandray

Bushi No Kondate (A Tale of Samurai Cooking – A True Love Story) - Japan

By Yuzo Asahara

With Aya Ueto, Kengo Kora

German premiere

Cesar Chavez - USA

Cross-Section Berlinale Special

By Diego Luna

With Michael Pena, America Ferrara, Rosario Dawson, John Malkovich

World premiere

El Juego En La Mesa - Spain / Japan

By Pep Gatell & Eloi Colom

El Somni (The Dream) - Spain

By Franc Aleu

Documentary

World premiere

Final Recipe – Republic of Korea / Thailand / Singapore

By Gina Kim

With Michelle Yeoh, Henry Lau, Chin Han

German premiere

Food Chains - USA

By Sanjay Rawal

Documentary

World premiere

I Cavalieri della Laguna (The Knights of the Lagoon) - Italy

By Walter Bencini

Documentary

World premiere

I Maccheroni - Italy

By Raffaele Andreassi

Le Semeur (The Sower) - Canada

By Julie Perron

Documentary

International premiere

Mission Blue - USA

By Fisher Stevens, Robert Nixon

Documentary

International premiere

Natural Resistance - Italy

Cross-Section Panorama Dokumente

By Jonathan Nossiter

Documentary

World premiere

TABA - El Juego En La Mesa (TABA – The Table Game) – Spain / Japan

By Pep Gatell & Eloi Colom

Tante Hilda! (Aunt Hilda!) – France / Luxembourg

Cross-Section Generation

By Jacques-Rémy Girerd & Benoït Chieux

Animation

International premiere

The Food Guide to Love - Spain / Ireland / France

By Dominic Harari & Teresa de Pelegri

With Leonor Watling, Richard Coyle

German premiere

Zone Pro Site: The Moveable Feast - Taiwan

By Chen Yu-Hsun

With Lin Mei-Hsiu, Yang Yo, Hsia Kimi

European premiere

Comments

Actor Ivan Boragine on Gomorra, Growing up in Napoli and his Love for Theater

Neapolitan actor Ivan Boragine embraces everything that is Napoli. From his pride and passion to his nostalgia and sadness, Napoli is always in his heart. That is why his role in the popular Italian television series Gomorra has been the role of a lifetime. Not only has the worldwide broadcast (64 countries) skyrocketed him to fame, it has given him a way to bring to light the problems and corruption of one generation so that the next could have a better chance. I met with Boragine recently while I was in Rome. I found him to be down-to-earth and honest about the pride and love he has for his culture and also for his art. We spoke a lot about his hometown of Napoli and the impact the Neapolitan theater has had on actors. We also talked about his role in Gomorra and how it fuels his love for acting. Boragine got his start in acting a little over a decade ago when he landed a role in a local theater production of the Neapolitan classic, Miseria e Nobilità (Misery...

Luminous Legacies: Yoichi Ohira’s Murano Glass at Magazzino Italian Art

A new exhibition in Cold Spring, New York, is bringing the luminous legacy of Murano glassmaking into focus through the work of Japanese artist Yoichi Ohira. “Yoichi Ohira: Japan in Murano” is on view at Magazzino Italian Art until February 2027. The exhibit showcases the work of Ohira, who became a leading figure in the design of Venetian glassworks on the island of Murano. The exhibition features works that highlight the uniqueness of Ohira’s art across the decades of his career. Ohira’s earliest Murano works blend Venetian glass techniques with his own style. These pieces show balanced shapes, clear surfaces, and striking color combinations. His Venezia e l’Oriente (Venice and the Orient) decanters reflect Venice’s ties to the East, creating vases inspired by Marco Polo’s tales with a modern twist. The exhibition shows Ohira’s respect for Murano’s glass masters, displaying objects alongside preparatory drawings that map ideas to the final works of art. It also explores ho...

7 Days - 7 Women: Gina Lollobrigida

Update, January 16,2023: Gina Lollobrigida has passed away at the age of 95. On Day 3 of our week-long series, 7 Days - 7 Women, in which we are showcasing seven strong, talented women working as filmmakers, writers or visual artists, we celebrate the forceful, creative energy of movie legend Gina Lollobrigida. She has been called the most beautiful woman in the world and at 87 years old, she is still a sight to behold. Her outer beauty mirrors the talent and inner beauty of this true, complete artist. Lollobrigida, the iconic actress, photojournalist and sculptress, was born Luigina Lollobrigida on July 4, 1932 in Subiaco, Italy, a town located outside of Rome in the province of Lazio. Adored by fans all over the world, Lollobrigida has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson, Frank Sinatra, Anthony Quinn and Shelly Winters. She acted opposite Bob Hope in his 1968 comedy, "The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell," and...

The Legend of Alberto Sordi - Rome's Eternal Son

′′They will always judge you, whether you behave well or if you behave badly. So screw it and live as you want but above all don't listen to anyone.′′ - Alberto Sordi By giving his fellow Italians something to laugh about during tumultuous times, he emerged as his generation’s King of Comedy. One of Italy’s best-loved personalities, Alberto Sordi played a pivotal role in Italian cinema from the end of World War II to the postwar economic boom of the 1950s. During those tumultuous years, he gave his countrymen a hearty laugh when they might have otherwise cried. Former Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi perhaps said it best: “Alberto Sordi interpreted the feelings of Italians, especially in their most difficult and tough moments.” Born in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome in 1920, Sordi grew up in a creative household. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father, a professional musician for the Rome Opera House. A young Sordi joined the children’s choir o...

Federico Fellini: A Look into the Life and Career of an Icon

A Fellini family portrait “The term became a common word to describe something on the surface you can say is bizarre or strange, but actually is really like a painter working on a film,” said Martin Scorsese when asked to define “Felliniesque,” an adjective inspired by one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. The oldest of three children, Federico Fellini was born in the seaside town of Rimini in 1920. His father was a traveling salesman, so his mother was left to do the bulk of raising the children. One can argue that Fellini was born for his destiny. “You could tell that even as a child, he was different and unique. He was very intelligent, well above average. He was always the one to organize things, direct the others, make up games. He could control the other kids with just a look, said Fellini’s sister, Maddalena, in an interview with journalist Gideon Bachmann. Not only was Fellini directing the children, but he was also putting on shows and charging ...

Italian Cinema Today

Search This Blog