Food Films at the 10th Annual Silverdocs

Photo courtesy of Kevin H.
Silver Strollers
courtesy of Kevin H.

Want to eat with your eyes? The 10th Annual Silverdocs Festival has seven films about food that might make you think a little more about what you’re eating and the food industry.

While Silverdocs has already been in full swing since June 18th, below are the food-focused films and you’ll find the rest of the list after the jump. You can purchase tickets online or at the AFI Silver Theatre Box Office. General tickets are $13. Films are playing at the AFI Silver Theatre (8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD) and Discovery HD Theater (One Discovery Place, Silver Spring, MD), so make sure you end up in the right place.

Betting The Farm by Cecily Pingree and Jason Mann
Showing: Friday, June 22, 6:45 PM and Sunday, June 24, 8:30 PM
Country: USA
What they say: “When a group of Maine dairy farmers are dropped by the national milk company that has been their bread and butter for years, their livelihood is in danger. Refusing to go down without a fight, the farmers take matters into their own hands, banding together to form their own organic milk company, MOO.”

Canned Dreams by Katja Gauriloff
Showing:  Friday, June 22, 12:15 PM and Saturday, June 23, 2:30 PM
Country: Finland
What they say: “What all goes into a can of ravioli on the supermarket shelf? The answer is more complicated than one might think. This fascinating film explores the inner workings of food production, as well as the blood, sweat and tears of the human laborers whose personal hardships have often stood in the way of a better future.”

I Kill by David White and Paul Wedel
Showing: Saturday, June 23, 10 AM and Sunday, June 24, 3:45 PM (As part of the Short Programs: Odd Jobs films)
Country: New Zealand
What they say: “Small farms need small solutions, and in rural New Zealand that is a “mobile slaughterman,” traveling from farm to farm, shooting, skinning and gutting cattle. The rich colors of the lush landscape reinforce the slaughterman’s belief that cattle meeting their end in familiar surroundings is more humane than in a factory slaughterhouse.”

Photo courtesy of Kevin H.
Screen with Wings
courtesy of Kevin H.

Oma & Bella by Alexa Karolinski
Showing: Thursday, June 21, 7 PM and Saturday, June 23, 10 AM
Country: Germany, USA
What they say: “Best friends Bella and Regina share an apartment in Berlin, a passion for homespun Eastern European cooking and an extraordinary life history. Holocaust memories are soothed by the balm of lovingly-prepared dishes remembered from a fading era. L’Chaim meets guten Appetit in a celebration of indomitable camaraderie and remarkable, nurturing lives.”

Step up to the Plate by Paul Lacoste
Showing: Saturday, June 23, 3:15 PM
Country: France
What they say: “Sébastien, son of famed chef Michel Bras, is taking over their three-Michelin-star restaurant. But Michel still haunts the restaurant, hovering over Séba, whose cooking style reflects the people and places most dear to him. Step up to the Plate follows Séba over a year as he perfects his signature dish.”

Manufactured Fortunes by Kevin Gordon
Showing: Saturday, June 23, 3:15 PM (Precedes Step up to the Plate)
Country: USA
What they say: “The cosmic significance and gastronomical value of fortune cookies might be debatable but, in this batter-to-table study of the Chinese restaurant staple, it’s the old-school baking and packing machinery that takes on a meaningful life of its own.

Sweet Dreams by Lisa Fruchtman and Rob Fruchtman
Showing: Friday, June 22, 9 PM
Country: USA, Rwanda
What they say: “Ingoma Nshya is the only all women’s drumming troupe in Rwanda. Made up of Rwandan genocide survivors and the offspring of former perpetrators – both Hutu and Tutsi – the troupe offers the women a place of support, healing and reconciliation. When the group decides to partner with a Brooklyn-based business and open up Rwanda’s first ice cream store, these remarkable women embark on a journey to help themselves become more self-sufficient.”

Marissa was born and bred in New Jersey, but moved to DC for undergrad at GWU (Go Colonials, go!), fell in love with the District and learned that there was life and civilization beyond New York City. She loves eating at white-tablecloth-three-forks-at-your-place-setting restaurants, but she’ll also be the first to suggest we scarf down some chili dogs at 2 am. Simply put, she loves all things food. You can also read about why she loves DC. Follow her on Twitter and email her at mbialecki (at) welovedc.com.

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