From September 2023 to May 2024, the Food in Film Club will meet once each month at the Athenæum to ruminate over films where food makes an appearance in distinct but subtle ways. We’ll begin with a film made not long after the introduction of sound, relying strongly on our own senses in the absence of color, examining how a humble meal of mozzarella in carrozza implies class and inspects fatherhood in the aftermath of war through Vittorio de Sica’s neorealism lens. Further films continue to provoke our feelings about food’s portrayal and we’ll examine the meanings it elicits within each of us, viewing films from Lina Wertmüller, Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Benh Zeitlin, Emma Seligman, and others. Food indeed unites us as humans but, as we will see through film and filmmaker aesthetics, it is also nuanced and subjective.

Food in Film Club participants will have opportunities to discuss their own perceptions and reactions to the use of food in each month’s film, especially where the film and its food scene can be contextualized in real-world circumstances. Suggested readings, similar/contrasting films, and any notes will be emailed prior to each month’s meeting reminder. Taking some brief notes while watching the film, particularly the food scene(s), is strongly encouraged.

This group meets on the second Wednesday of the month in the Athenæum’s Bound, from 5:30-7pm. Please note, December’s session will meet on the first Wednesday.

Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Film Club members should plan to watch the assigned film independently in advance of each month’s meeting. Please note that there is a viewing assignment in advance of the first meeting.

Members have multiple options for viewing the films: streaming; or borrowing, renting, or purchasing DVDs. Please see the section on “Access to Films” for more information on finding ways that work for you.

Wed, September 13
Vittorio de Sica, Ladri di bicicletta (Bicycle Thieves) , 1948. 93 minutes. With Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: Father and Son Restaurant Splurge
Streaming Options: HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel. It is also possible to buy “Bicycle Thieves” on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Apple TV online.

Wed, October 11
Alfred Hitchcock, To Catch a Thief, 1955. 107 minutes. With Carey Grant and Grace Kelly.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: The Scenic Picnic
Streaming Options: Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel, DIRECTV, MGM Plus. It is also possible to buy “To Catch a Thief” on Microsoft Store, AMC on Demand, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, DIRECTV as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Microsoft Store, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand, Spectrum On Demand online.

Wed, November 8
Lina Wertmüller, Film d’amore e d’anarchia, ovvero: stamattina alle 10, in via dei Fiori, nella nota casa di tolleranza (Love and Anarchy) , 1973. 126 minutes. With Giancarlo Giannini and Mariangela Melato.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: Brothel Breakfast
Streaming Options: Metrograph, Cohen Media Amazon Channel. It is also possible to buy “Love and Anarchy” on Kino Now, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube as download or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Kino Now online.

Suggested film: Bryan Forbes, The Stepford Wives, 1975. 118 minutes. With Katharine Ross.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: Ringdings and Scotch; “I’ll Just Die” BBQ; The Supermarket
Streaming Options: Currently you are able to watch “The Stepford Wives” streaming on Tubi TV for free with ads.

Wed, December 6 (note this is the first Wednesday rather than second)
Martin Scorsese, GoodFellas, 1990. 146 minutes. With Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: The Family BBQ; Ma Makes Dinner; Coffee at the Diner
Streaming Options: HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, DIRECTV. It is also possible to buy “GoodFellas” on Amazon Video, Redbox, AMC on Demand, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV, Vudu as download or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand, Spectrum On Demand online.

Suggested film: Herbert Ross with Screenplay by Nora Ephron, My Blue Heaven, 1992. With Steve Martin and Rick Moranis.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: The Supermarket; Thanksgiving Discussion
Streaming Options: You can buy “My Blue Heaven” on Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV, Redbox as download or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, Vudu online.

Wed, January 10
Mike Nichols, The Birdcage, 1996. 119 minutes. With Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: Family Introduction Dinner
Streaming Options: fuboTV, Showtime Apple TV Channel, Showtime Amazon Channel, Showtime, DIRECTV, Paramount+ Showtime. It is also possible to buy “The Birdcage” on Vudu, Microsoft Store, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Redbox, AMC on Demand as download or rent it on Redbox, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand online.

Wed, February 14 *MEETS VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM*
Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild, 2012. 93 minutes. With Quvenzhané Wallis.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: Feed Up Time
Streaming Options: You can buy “Beasts of the Southern Wild” on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox, DIRECTV, AMC on Demand online.

Wed, March 13
Adam Rehmeier, Dinner in America, 2020. 106 minutes. With Kyle Gallner and Emily Skeggs.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: any/all of them
Streaming Options: Currently you are able to watch “Dinner in America” streaming on Hulu. It is also possible to buy “Dinner in America” on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Microsoft Store as download or rent it on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Apple TV online.

Wed, April 10
Emma Seligman, Shiva Baby, 2020. 78 minutes. With Rachel Sennott.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: any/all of them
Streaming Options: Currently you are able to watch “Shiva Baby” streaming on HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Hoopla, DIRECTV, Cinemax Amazon Channel. It is also possible to buy “Shiva Baby” on Apple TV, Amazon Video as download or rent it on Apple TV online.

Wed, May 8
Maggie Gyllenhal, The Lost Daughter, 2021. 122 minutes. With Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley.
Food Scene(s) to focus on: any/all of them
Streaming Options: Currently you are able to watch “The Lost Daughter” streaming on Netflix and Netflix basic with Ads.

Wed, June 12 – Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Food in Film (Optional)
Participants may choose their own food scene in a film and share it alongside their own takeaway experience as we end our year of food in film!

Every film in the schedule should be readily accessible to any member who has access to on demand video streaming services or to a DVD player. In addition to content, films are selected strongly considering accessibility by various methods and prioritizing little to no cost.

How you choose to access a film is up to you. Most members will have multiple options available to them, whether they prefer streaming or DVD. Our research indicates that no single source for streaming or DVDs offers every film. If you have a preferred streaming service, be sure to check whether a particular film is offered. N.B.: Some streaming services make a film available for a set period of time, and then withdraw it when they offer other films in rotation. This means that for certain streaming services, a particular film may not be available in the month when the Film Club will discuss it. As of this writing, the streaming services mentioned under each month’s film appear to be showing the corresponding film, whether for free or for rent or purchase.

If you prefer streaming, Just Watch is a free service that can be used to find all streaming platforms where a film is currently available and if it is free, for rental, or for purchase by download. It appears (as of this writing) that your best bets overall will be Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Vudu, Apple TV, HBO Max, Paramount +, Google Play Movies, and The Criterion Channel. The combination of Amazon Prime Video plus Criterion Channel, or Amazon Prime Video plus HBO Max, should provide reliable access to all the films in our schedule.

Additionally, hoopla is an on-demand video streaming available free with your Athenaeum membership and some films may be available there. Athenaeum staff can advise you on accessing hoopla through your membership. Similarly, Kanopy is another streaming service with access to films provided free with a library card or with borrowing privileges from a college or university. Kanopy is not accessible through Athenaeum membership. Access to specific films can sometimes vary by the individual library or educational institution.

Streaming caveat: you may find (on YouTube and elsewhere) other versions of these films. Be wary of “bootleg” copies that may have been reproduced without authorization. Further, be aware that unauthorized copies may have viruses or other malware. A “free” viewing may end up being very expensive if your computer or phone gets hacked as a result.

If you prefer to watch using DVDs, there are several options. Films may be available on DVD for borrowing from the Athenaeum, the RISD Library, or both. Your local public library may also have some of the films in their collections. These are good options, but with demand from many Film Club members at the same time, you may not be able to watch the film when you
prefer. Another option is to rent a DVD from the Netflix affiliate www.dvd.com. You might also purchase DVDs from the usual sources. If you are thinking of purchasing for this film
schedule, you might look into Criterion’s products as they typically have been technically upgraded and often offer bonus features that are not available in the original DVD releases.

Natalie Morris is a food systems instructor, food and culture scholar, and trained culinarian. She teaches at Arizona State University in food, culture, health, and film courses. As a PhD student, her research uses film to compare food’s phenomenological presence and influence between Italian and Italian-American identities in the 20th and 21st centuries. She is an avid international traveler and has recently written her own book Beans: A Global History (Reaktion Books: UK, University of Chicago Press: USA, April 2020). As a book collector and fan of visual texts, the first thing she did upon moving to Rhode Island was become a member of the Providence Athenaeum. Her goal for your participation in this Film Club is for you to see and experience food in new ways: across cultures, boundaries and definitions.