1st Huatulco Film & Food Festival (8- 12 November) opened with Viridiana, presented by Silvia Pinal, actress of, Buñuel´s masterpiece (winner of Palm
D´Or in Cannes 1962). Surrealistic evocation of the Jesus Christ last
supper.

Luis Buñuel´s devotion to food, expressed in his life and films, is an inspiration for this new festival that combines gastronomic tributes, with dishes dedicated to celebrated filmmakers. An unknown sculpture made with a champagne cork by the surrealist filmmaker, was adopted as symbol of the fest, and was presented by her actress of three films (Viridiana, Exterminator Angel, and Simon of the desert) Silvia Pinal. Huatulco ´s weather, the nearest point from the pacific to N.Y. allows
exterior screenings and activities even in winter. John Huston and Billy Wilder´s centenaries were celebrated with special recipes inspired in their lives and films prepared by chef Martin Bejar . Guadalupe Rivera Marin, daughter of Mexican painter Diego Rivera prepared dishes from her book Frida´s Fiestas ( Random House). Frida Khalo´s original recepies were recreated by Guadalupe, who learned them directly from Frida, when she was a kid.
Also Buñuel´s famous Martini, was prepared by Gabriel Figueroa Flores, son of Buñuel´s cinematographer, who learned personally the recipe. So Hemingway’s “mojitos” and “ daiquiris” were recreated. The program was based in Slow Food on Film festival of Bra, partner of this new festival, and screened 50 fiction, shorts, among them Stefano Sardo´s (director of SFOF) Meaning of Food and Anne Winnocour´s Kitchen (Cannes Critic’s week).
Bella, winner of Public Price in Toronto, and Variety Magazine price “10 Producers to watch” was presented by director Alejandro Monteverde and actress Aly Landry, (former Miss USA, 1996), the story of a Mexican chef in N.Y. performed by Eduardo Verástegui, certainly was the most celebrated film by the public.
Academic activities took place in the University of the Sea, (Universidad del mar) as Final Draft workshop by Albert Belmont and spanish version of Storaro´s book Writing with light, was presented by Gabriel Figueroa Flores and Diego Lopez Rivera, adding cultural relevance to the event. As a first celebration the fest wasn’t competitive. Union Latina recognized Monteverde´s Bella as the most relevant movie inspired in food during 2006 festivals, according to Public Price , and Variety award in Toronto filmfest, Union Latina also awarded Cinepolis, (Mexican biggest theatres) for the promotion of Mexican young filmmakers through the Festival of Morelia, (Critic’s weeks of Cannes programs his winners). Air France was awarded for the best food onboard by Wine & Food Society, Mexico. Exterior screenings, followed by tastings by the sea brings a special personality to this new festival. Food & Film by the sea in winter, a new choice for filmmakers and film lovers.

www.filmfoodfestival.com
Director: Leopoldo Soto sotofoto@hotmail.com
Operative coordinator: David del Rio ddelrio@free.fr