LO N D O N F OOD FIL M FES TI VAL GUEST DIRECTOR: HESTON BLUMENTHAL IN COLLABORATION WITH ANNE L. BOWER AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FESTIVAL. The London Food Film Festival is a celebration of gastronomy and film, but also a celebration of London and the great food culture that we have today. In London, we have some of the top ranking restaurants in the World at our doorstep. We also have a huge number of events that promote food, local food and British produce, something we should be proud of. All of this is a product of the growing amount of interest in food that has developing over the past decade in the United Kingdom. As a nation we have revived what was a dying food culture. When I first opened the Fat Duck in 2005, the food landscape in Britain was still at the beginnings of this huge change. People were recovering from the shock of the BSE scandal and were beginning to realise the importance of food again. Eating well and knowing where your food is from has never been so important as it is now. Food is one of the most popular forms of entertainment for us as a nation, and I’m sure you may have seen my face on a few programmes. These programmes have been instrumental in drumming up interest in food and campaigning for change but as we all sit down to experience the joys of food vicariously through the box, do we think about what we are watching? I am very proud to be part of The London Film Festival as this festival, is about making us think. The festival aims to put a stop to this detachment between what is on screen and what happens in reality. We have reached a good point in improving our food culture but we not there just yet. The festival wants to turn a passive audience into an active one. It encourages us to learn about global issues such as over- fishing, food waste and industrial scale -farming and offers us the chance to join the campaigns. I use ‘us’, as I too, am learning through being part of this festival. It is not all about education though, and we must never forget the pleasures of food. There is nothing better than a good plate of food. This is where my expertise lies, in creating an experience from food, one that makes the diner go ‘yum!’ But think, ‘why?’ I am personally very excited to be part of this festival and what it represents for British food culture. We all love to eat food and this weekend we will learn brand new ways to enjoy it! HESTON
FRIDAY GALA OPENING EVENING The Aubin Cinema: ‘Le Hollondais: A Night of Conspicuous Consumption’ This screening and banquet are designed to test the audience’s senses to their limits. This grotesque evening will start with an exclusive 50 person screening of Peter Greenaway’s infamous masterpiece, ‘The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover’. The film will be introduced by Greenaway himself, talking on the topic of conspicuous consumption in relation to the film and the controversy caused by its release in 1989. The audience will be invited to give their thoughts on the topic at the Q & A afterwards. Following the screening there will be a live performance of ‘Le Hollondais’, artist Caroline Hobkinson’s epic food feast.
THE AUBIN CINEMA 6.30pm The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover (1989) Peter Greenaway (124 mins) Exclusive screening of Peter Greenaway’s film about excess and the Thatcherite era of Britain. Followed by a Q&A with the director. This event is limited to 50 guests. Treats and Alcoholic beverages will be provided during the screening.
THE AUBIN GALLERY 9pm
Le Hollondais
Caroline Hobkinson is a concept chef who uses food as performance and social commentary. The 50 guests will be taken to the Aubin Gallery where Hobkinson will be presenting them with an enormous feast of gigantic food and food sculptures. Wine will be free- flowing and the guests will be allowed to let loose and consume as much as they like. Secret cameras will film this performance and the film of the event along with the leftovers of the banquet will be on display in the Aubin Gallery until the 20th July.
SATURDAY
THE POLITICS OF FOOD
THE ELECTRIC CINEMA 10 -12pm
SUBMISSION SCREENING
12.30pm
TASTE THE WASTE Dir. Valentin Thurn German with Subtitles (45mins) Valentin Thurn’s debut film investigates exactly what is creating the huge amount of food waste in our global food chain. According to Thurn over half the food produced for the first world ends up in the bin. So how can this problem be solved? Thurn’s documentary takes us on a journey to meet the people trying to subvert the system that is currently in place. People such as Véronique Abounà Ndony from Cameroon, who sorts out the remains at the wholesale market in Paris, in order to feed the homeless, and “Dumpster diver” Hanna Poddig, who rescues food from supermarket dumpsters. He also questions people involved in the retail chain, from supermarket sales staff and managers, wholesale market to ministers, farmers and EU bureaucrats. Who has the answers? Watch the film and find out. Join the campaign- www.tastethewaste.com
1.30pm
PLANEAT Dirs. Shelley Lee Davies and Or Shlomi English (87mins) Q&A with the directors.
Shelley Lee Davies and Or Shlomi’s first film, ‘Planeat’, is the story of a life-long search for a diet, which is good for our health, good for the environment and good for the future of the planet. The film features the ground-breaking work of Dr. T Colin Campbell in China exploring the link between diet and disease, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s use of diet to treat heart disease patients, and Professor Gidon Eshel’s investigations into how our food choices contribute to global warming, land use and oceanic deadzones. With an additional cast of pioneering chefs, the film presents a convincing case for the West to re-examine its love affair with meat and dairy. Convinced? Join the campaign- www.planeat.tv/ 3.30pm
THE END OF THE LINE Dir. Ruppert Murray English (82 mins) Q&A with Ruppert Murray and Charles Clover
The world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing. Ruppert Murray’s film examines the imminent extinction of Bluefin Tuna, brought on by increasing Western demand for Sushi; the impact on marine life is resulting in huge overpopulation of jellyfish; and the profound implications of a future world with no fish that would bring certain mass starvation. The End of the Line follows the investigative reporter and author of the book that influenced the film, Charles Clover, as he confronts politicians and celebrity restaurateurs, who exhibit little regard for the damage they are doing to the oceans. Stop overfishing. Join the campaign- www.endoftheline.com/
5.30pm
FOOD, INC. Dir Robert Kenner English (94 mins) Q&A with Robert Kenner and Michael Pollan
How much do we really know about the food we buy from the supermarket? Robert Kenner lifts the veil on America’s food industry. A nation whose food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer and the safety of workers. The documentary features interviews from leading food writer Michael Pollan, as well as entrepreneurs and farmers working towards a solution to the crumbling system. Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what Americans are eating and how their food is produced. Change the food chain. Join the campaign- www.foodincmovie. co.uk/ 8.00pm THE POLITICS OF FOOD DEBATE Chaired by Sheila Dillon, (Radio 4, The Food Programme) The debate will be recorded and sponsored by Channel 4 as part of the series ‘Big Food Fight.’ Following a day of screenings, ‘The Politics of Food Debate’ will be addressing questions that have arisen from the films and other issues that the public would like to put to the panel. The panel for the debate is made up of a broad range of people who all have an in- depth knowledge of food culture and the food industry. From filmmakers to Members of
Parliament and representatives of the British food industry, this debate aims to give everyone involved along the food chain a chance to air their views. The festival sent out invites for the debate to representatives of supermarket chains and their Chief Executives, so that we could hear their thoughts on the matters relating to their industry. The London Food Film Festival believes that by having a well- rounded panel we can provide a platform for a debate that will voice all sides of the argument and therefore create clearer answers. After the debate there will be a Special UK Premiere of the documentary ‘Urban Roots,’ directed by Marc MacInnis. This screening follows the debate as the film fosters a sense of hope about what can be done by communities to change their food chain. The festival would like attendees to leave this debate with a sense of positivity, that through active participation in camapigns and discussions as well as sharing ideas we can all make a difference to the future of our food chain.
9.30pm URBAN ROOTS Premier English (40mins) Introduced by Dir. Mark Macinnis Urban Roots is a timely, moving and inspiring film that speaks to a nation grappling with collapsed industrial towns and the need to forge a sustainable and prosperous future. Urban farming in the once-booming city of Detroit is having a positive impact on a city struggling through a tough economic transition. The focus of the documentary directed by Detroit native Mark MacInnis, is a food revolution and uprising in city limits that has never been seen before and is being fully embraced by all. Urban farmer? Join the debate-www.urbanrootsamerica.com/
THE AUBIN CINEMA
‘LUNCHFILM’ A PROJECT BY MIKE PLANTE 12- 2pm Screenings of the Lunchtime Project Films, introduced by Mike Plante. One day in early 2006, Mike Plante, a programmer for the Sundance Festival went to lunch with his friend, filmmaker James Fotopolous. The two men spent most of the meal complaining about the clichés in independent films these days. When the bill arrived, Fotopolous declared he had no cash and so Plante offered to foot the bill if his friend would make him a film for the cost of the lunch. Plante took a napkin and wrote a list of rules for the film, that derived from their conversation and Fotopolous followed through with his promise. Lunchfilm was born! Over the last few years Plante has bought lunch for another 49 filmmakers and assigned 49 more films. A selection of these resulting films, make up the screening for today. They vary greatly in their subject matter from films that were made under the instruction of ‘Must Reference Dance’ to ‘Must Use Title Cards’, but they are all a glimpse at a lunch conversation between two people and the creativity that spans from that.
2-5pm
WORKSHOP LEAD BY MIKE PLANTE AND JAMES FOTOPOULOUS
Food and Drink curated by the workshop leaders.
This filmmaker’s workshop follows a screening of films from the Lunchfilm project. The filmmaker James Fotopolous and the film festival programmer Mike Plante will be explaining their project to the group and then creating a lunch environment, in which the group can make their own films inspired by the concept. The technical aim of the workshop is to teach people simple camera techniques as well as simple editing skills. The workshop also aims to show that through collaboration people can open up their creative side and make something interesting and meaningful.
THE POLITICS OF FOOD DEBATE Sheila Dillon has been a food journalist for almost three decades, receiving many awards for her investigative work. She has worked on Radio 4’s The Food Programme for twenty years: first as reporter, then producer and, following Derek Cooper’s retirement, she became the regular presenter. She will be chairing the debate.
PANEL Shelley Lee Davies: Journalist and Co- Director of the documentary, ‘Planeat’. She is an avid environmentalist and is championing a project to raise awareness of the effects that the over consumption of meat is having on our planet as well as our health. Or Shlomi: CoDirector of the documentary, ‘Planeat’, Or has been a militant vegetarian since his teenage years. He learnt how to make films during his military service years in Israel. Together with fellow filmmaker Shelley Lee Davies he helps to run the campaign for ‘Planeat’.
Ruppert Murray: Award- nominated director of the ‘The End of the Line’. Documentary filmmaker and campaigner for the ‘End of the Line’ campaign to stop the overfishing of the World’s oceans. Charles Clover: Journalist and author, with a weekly column about environmental matters in the Sunday Times. He was Environment Editor of The Daily Telegraph, London, from 19882008. His acclaimed book ‘The End Of the Line: How Over- Fishing is Changing the World and What We Eat’, is the definitive book on overfishing and influenced Ruppert
Murray’s documentary. Robbert Kenner Documentary filmmaker of the award- winning ‘Food, Inc.’, Kenner exposed the US Food Industry to the rest of the World. Spreading the truth about the global food industry through lectures and talks, Kenner believes in educating the public about food. Michael Pollan Journalist and award- winning author of ‘Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual’ (2010); ‘In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto’ (2008) and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals (2006). Pollan’s mission is to get us to eat ‘food’ again. Katy Davidson Director of the Youth Food Movement UK, she was formerly the Chair of Slow Food Cornwall for 4 years. Her belief is that through working with the youth of today we can change food culture and make a real impact on society. Justin King King is the CEO of Sainsbury’s Supermarket. He answered an open call for supermarkets to be involved in this discussion
and has volunteered to be here today on behalf of the supermarket to discuss issues about the food industry. Kath Dalmeny, Policy Director of Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming. She has been a long time food campaigner and in recent years she has developed a specialism in healthy, sustainable food in the catering sector, as well as the effects of climate change on food production. James Paice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Having been appointed Minister for State in 2010, he is currently responsible for the agricultural landscape of Britain. Willie Bain, Shadow Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Bain brought the documentary film ‘Planeat’ to the House of Commons to be screened. Through his work he is making people in power more aware of the environmental impacts of the food industry. Heston Blumenthal Michelin Starred Chef and the Guest Director of the festival, He has been involved
SUN DAY THE PLEASURE OF FOOD THE ELECTRIC CINEMA
10 - 12pm
SHORTS SUBMISSION SCREENING
12:30pm FOOD DESIGN Dir. Martin Habesreiter and Sonja Stummerer German, with English Subtitles (52 mins) Why are cakes cut into pieces while bread is sliced? Why does Swiss cheese have many holes while bagels have only one? We not only taste food, we smell it, hear and feel it. Whether flat or curved, creamy or crunchy, foods come in a seemingly endless variety of colors, shapes and consistencies. But what’s the reason behind all this variety? When and where was it thought up? And why? The origin of shapes and tastes, recipes and preparation techniques makes for an extremely interesting story which began several thousand years ago and spans all continents. Food Design shows why foods come to our tables in a certain form - and no other.
1:30pm A MATTER OF TASTE Dir. Sally Rowe English (68 mins) In 2000, chef Paul Liebrandt was awarded 3 stars by the New York Times - at 24 he was the youngest to receive such acclaim. Post September 11th, however, no one was interested in such hyper-modern dishes as “Espuma of Calf Brains and Foie Gras” and “Eel ,Violets and Chocolate.” A rare insight into the cut throat world of haute cuisine, A Matter of Taste charts Paul’s struggles over the next decade both in and out of the kitchen as he tries to make his way back to the top.
3:00pm
EL BULLI: COOKING IN PROGRES Dir. Gereon Wetzel Catalan with English Subtiles (108mins)
Three-star chef Ferran Adrià is widely considered the best, most innovative and craziest chef in the world. In his kitchen, that which was once familiar disintegrates. Each year his restaurant El Bulli closes for half a year – time for Adrià and his team to retire to his Barcelona cooking laboratory to create the new menu for the coming season. Wetzel’s documentary goes behind the scenes of the laboratory to discover the processes and discussions that take place to create the magic of El Bulli.
5.00pm
Special Event: Q&A in the ‘Playroom’ with Director Geroen Wetzel and special guest Feran Adria.
5:00pm BIG NIGHT Dirs. Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci English (107 mins) A classic Food Film famous for its final dining scene, in which the culinary masterpiece of the whole meal is brought out, the ‘Timpano’ a dish of alternate layers of meat and pasta in a pastry crust. The film is, however, a study in how food can bring people together. Set in New Jersey it tells the tale of two brothers struggling to keep their restaurant, called the ‘Paradise’ open. They hear that a popular entertainer Louis Prima is coming to town and plan a mouth- watering menu, in the hope he will grace the restaurant and save it. Louis Prima never shows up but that was never the point for Tucci and Campbell, the directors. They wanted to film a beautiful banquet to excite the audience about food and at the same time show how the meal can be a social minefield.
7:00pm
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN Dir. Ang Lee. Mandarin/ French, with English Subtitles (124 mins)
SPECIAL EVENT SCREENING
Undoubtedly, one of the best Food Films ever made. Ang Lee takes the audience on a journey through classic Taiwanese cuisine. The film boasts beautiful cinematography and one of the most intricate food preparation scenes ever filmed. The London Food Festival in collaboration with culinary geniuses Bompass and Parr bring you ‘Eat Drink Man Woman’ like never presented
before, in Scratch and Sniff Cinema. Bompass and Parr have created aromas including, Lotus Flower Soup and Chi- Ling Fish to capture the scent of key moments in Lee’s Film. Scratch and Sniff cards will be given out to the audience before the screening and instructions will inform them when to scratch. A truly interactive way to see a film.
10:00pm
CLOSING PARTY Regent’s Park, in collaboration with Taste London Festival and The Fat Duck Restaurant.