Communicating food science on the Big Screen

In Featured Posts by Prof

When I was in college, I don’t think I ever saw a movie about food (and I saw a lot of movies). But films about foods have become increasingly popular in the past 20 or so years. Perhaps this is because food itself has somehow become a worthy subject both for filmmakers and film-goers.

There are plenty of provocative documentary films about food.  Many have an obvious point-of-view, like the film we watched this week called Poisoned. Other popular documentaries this class has watched in the past include Food Evolution, Food Inc. and Supersize Me. It’s important to watch these films with a critical eye, as there are many counter-arguments that can be made contrary to the views of the filmmaker.

Of course, there are non-documentary films, with many of the latter actually about something other than food.  Some of my favorites include:

Sideways, a buddy movie, a road movie, and a love story, all told while the protagonists make their way through the California wineries and restaurants.  The Director is Alexander Payne, who grew up in Omaha.

Julie and Julia, a past-and-present film about the famous TV chef, Julia Child.

Waitress, a movie about love, marriage, and pies (made into a musical play on Broadway)

Chocolat (needs no further description!)

The Hundred-Foot Journey is a great movie about restaurants and chefs. Chef and Big Night have similar themes.

In any event, I imagine you have your own list of favorite movies about food.  Yes?