Lost & Found at the Movies: Film to Table

Featuring Food Critic Jonathan Gold and Filmmaker Laura Gabbert Hosted by John Nein, Sundance Film Festival Senior Programmer
Thursday, Aug 27, 2015 | 7:30pm Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library

A seven-course filmic feast that explores the many rich flavors of “food in film.” From the earliest years of cinema, food (or the lack thereof) has been part of the texture of cinema, its stories, characters, themes and metaphors. From plenty to poverty, diners to dinner parties, chefs to cannibals, we look at how cinema looks at food.

We’re joined by special guests Laura Gabbert (filmmaker) and Jonathan Gold (subject) of the new documentary City of Gold, a fascinating, layered portrait of the Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic and his intrepid culinary exploration of Los Angeles. City of Gold will be released in spring of 2016 by Sundance Selects.

Other courses include: cinema’s best food films, the most bizarre things consumed in movies, recipes for disaster or the art of food styling, memories of meals gone by cinema’s recent nod to “slow food” and a review of table manners, or how dinner table scenes reveal the American family.

As always, we dip into American film archives for our regular segment on lost treasures. And for dessert, we explore pie origins. Be sure to expect a few unexpected dishes.

Library Foundation Member reception to follow.

 

This program is generously funded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Jonathan Gold

Jonathan Gold

Jonathan Gold is a restaurant critic and columnist for the Los Angeles Times. His love of all things gastronomical has taken him from the LA Weekly (where he started as a proofreader in 1982), to the Los Angeles Times (1990-1996, where he wrote his Counter Intelligence column), to Gourmet (where he was the magazine’s New York restaurant critic) and back to the LA Weekly (where he worked for more than a decade). In 2012, he returned to the L.A. Times. If you follow the LA food scene, you know about Gold’s ability to find and savor Uzbek, Korean, Peruvian and Islamic Chinese cuisine. He discovered the only Trinidadian restaurant in Inglewood.

In 2007 Gold won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism — the first win for a food writer – and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2011 as well. He has been honored twice as a National Magazine Award finalist in criticism by the American Society of Magazine Editors. Gold was born in Los Angeles, and he currently resides in Pasadena with his wife and two children.

Laura Gabbert

Laura Gabbert

Laura Gabbert is a writer, director, producer, primarily of documentaries. She most recently wrote, produced, and directed City of Gold, a portrait that takes us into Jonathan Gold’s universe to tell the improbable story of a revolution inspired by the pen, but driven by the palate. Past projects include No Impact Man, about the Manhattan-based Beavan family who abandon their high consumption 5th Avenue lifestyle and try to live a year while making no net environmental impact. She produced and directed Sunset Story, which chronicles a Los Angeles home for the elderly full of retired radicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does Lost & Found at the Movies cost to attend?

    Lost & Found at the Movies is free to attend.

  • Can I attend if I’m not a Member?

    While priority notification is given to LFLA Members, non-Members are welcome to attend if space allows. However, the complimentary reception following the program is limited to Members.

  • Do I have to make a reservation?

    Reservations are recommended, as our programs often fill to capacity. Priority is given to reserved guests.

  • Can I attend even if I don’t have a reservation?

    Yes! We often have space available to accommodate walk-up guests without advanced reservations. Check our stand-by policy for more information.

  • Reservation Policy for Free Programs

    As Lost & Found at the Movies is free of charge, it is our policy to overbook. In the case of a FULL program your free reservation may not guarantee admission. We recommend arriving early. Unclaimed reservations will be released to standby patrons at the start of each program.

  • Standby Policy

    Standby numbers are distributed in person only one hour before the program, on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no advance wait list for full programs. Standby patrons will be admitted based on availability. Most programs will be available via podcast. Become a Member of the Library Foundation to receive priority notification of these programs.

  • Canceling a Reservation

    If you are unable to use your reservation, please email [email protected].

  • Where does Lost & Found at the Movies take place?

    Unless otherwise noted, Lost & Found at the Movies is held at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.

  • Where should I park for Lost & Found at the Movies?

    We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. For more information, visit the Library’s website.

  • Where do I purchase the speaker’s book?

    Occasionally a guest on Lost & Found at the Movies is touring with a book. Books are made available for purchase at programs or can be purchased while making your online reservation. In order to participate in the book signing, you must purchase at least one book.