Inspiration can come from anywhere. For Anthony Lucero, the maker of East Side Sushi, one of the films from this year’s Flatirons Food Film Festival, the inspiration came while dining at a sushi restaurant.
After working as part of the visual design for films like Iron Man and Pirates of the Caribbean, Anthony Lucero decided to work on a simpler movie. As his first feature film, he came up with a story of a Latina woman pursuing a career as a sushi chef, battling sexual and cultural discrimination. The film is heart-warming, engaging, encouraging and full of images of delicious food. It covers heavy topics of discrimination and overcoming obstacles through light-hearted and funny moments, accompanied by images of beautiful cuisine. After watching the movie, I was left craving sushi and interested in taking a sushi-making class.
Prior to the film, I had the opportunity to spend some time mingling with local businesses, filmmaker Anthony Lucero and other staff of the FFFF. The evening was sponsored by local businesses such as Superior Liquor, Snarf’s, Haystack Mountain Dairy, Bauman College, etc. providing guests the opportunity to sample delicious local fare, hang out, talk and enjoy a comfortable evening out of the cold and rain. Held at the Nomad Playhouse, the atmosphere was intimate and comfortable, a perfect setting for the showing of the movie.
Julia Joun, the director and founder of the festival greeted me warmly upon arrival, seeming excited and pleased with the festival’s success. This year marks the third year of the Food Film fest, with eight different film programs, film-related events and many guest speakers. Overhearing the conversations of others, I learned that most of the movies shown so far have been moving and engaging. East Side Sushi was one of those films.
Though the festival only has a few more days remaining, there are plenty of events to catch with the following line-up:
- Friday, Oct. 23, 7:30pm, An Evening with Andy Ricker (including Farang: The Story of Chef Andy Ricker screening), Muenzinger Auditorium (6:30pm three tastings and Andy Ricker book signing, 7:30 screening, followed by Andy Ricker Q&A)
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 4pm, An Afternoon of Artisanal and Local Food Films screening, Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 7pm, The Search for General Tso screening, Muenzinger Auditorium
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 9:15pm, Deli Man screening, Muenzinger Auditorium with fresh-popped Quinn Popcorn and Rosenberg’s Bagels and Deli bites
- Sunday, Oct. 24, 1:20 and 1:40pm, Permaculture Backyard Tour, residence of Marco Lam, permaculture designer and educator
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 2:30pm, Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective screening, followed by panel discussion, Muenzinger Auditorium
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 7pm, Lunch Love Community event on school food reform, Muenzinger Auditorium with school lunch bites courtesy of the BVSD School Food Project
Boulder is known for being a “foodie” town, and events like the Flatirons Food Film Festival further promote and enhance Boulder’s culinary scene. The festival is the perfect opportunity to be educated, sample local deliciousness and engage with other food lovers. Who doesn’t like the combination of food and film? This festival makes for a fun-filled and stuffed week, and I can’t wait to see what it will bring in the future.
