Francesca White - Film Food and I

Who amongst us has never seen a film? Who amongst us has never eaten something while watching a movie? Indeed, whether it is munching buttered popcorn in New York, chewing smoked eel in Scandinavia, or sucking beetle nuts in a New Guinea open-air theatre, one thing is universal, most people love to nibble on food while enjoying a film. And in the Western World at least, audiences will pay big money to eat that certain something or slurp a soda, regardless of the quality of whats showing on the big screen. It is ritualistic.

You buy the tickets and Ill get the popcorn!

The cinema owners decide certain types of audiences enjoy certain types of film at certain types of venues. They also assume to know what types of snacks each particular type of audience prefers. And so, we see the all-encompassing label of Cinema Snack Foods divided into various subgenres. It works (or rather, it doesnt work) like this.

Connoisseurs of art house movies attend small, specialist theatres. Several years ago, you could only purchase caf latte, orange juice, carrot cake and carob in preference to chocolate. More recently, these same venues and the newer art house cinemas offer glasses of wine, boutique beer, expensive dark chocolate, coffee (and not just the lattes), quaint little bags of selected choice sweets and shock horror other cinema staples such as popcorn and ice-cream.

By far, the widest choice is to be had at the following:

Drive-In theatres (Yes, they do still exist, although in very small numbers). Here, a patron may indulge in all that the multiplex has to offer, as well as the questionable greasy hot stuff i.e. hamburgers, chips and so forth. You can, of course, bring whatever you want to eat to the drive-in, because in the comfort of your vehicle, you can slurp, belch, hiccup, pick your teeth, sneeze, snore and everything in between, offending only the occupants.

The outdoor venues are limited mostly to the warmer months. Here, patrons can bring along their hampers and blankets and enjoy the film in beautiful garden surroundings. Some of these venues are held in odd places, for instance, rooftop car parks or the roof of an inner-city hotel. On offer are hot meals, snacks and alcoholic drinks.

The independently owned and sometimes quirky cinemas are usually found in country areas, although there are some very interesting venues in some of the big cities. Patrons can enjoy hot meals, alcoholic beverages and desserts.

There are also first-class seats in selected cinemas with secluded lounges, where you can enjoy a pre-show drink, then head in to the small, enclosed theatre within the selected cinema. Included in the extra cost are soft drinks or hot beverages and of course, popcorn. Should you want something from the menu, that is also available and will be brought to you at a specified time, that you nominate.

Even the sleaziest sexploitation cinema will have something to offer. It may not be quite what youre after though. Remember TAXI DRIVER (1975) directed by Martin Scorsese? Travis (Robert De Niro) filled in his hours at an all-day Sexathon XXX cinema. Before entering the film, he purchases some Chuckles (candy bar); then is concerned that he cant get any Jujus (candy). He wanted THEM because they last longer (after all, it WAS an ALL-DAY Sexathon).

What you see is what we got! was the disgruntled attendants comment to poor Travis. And it is this comment, which seems to sum up the cinema owners attitude to its hungry patrons. The audience will be fed, but in a limited fashion, at most cinemas.

Somehow, one is still left with a feeling of dissatisfaction, of feeling unfulfilled. Sure, it fills a hole but it is not total involvement. At the big cinema chains, one is bound to purchase a tall fizzy drink in a special commemorative cup, covered in artwork, advertising the latest blockbuster. But its the same old fizzy drink inside! This is merchandising. This is not total involvement.

We, as audiences, eat and drink while watching films because it relaxes us. It calms our bodies and soothes our mind. It puts us in a near tranquil state, allowing the drama of the big screen to wash over us, to completely envelop us. In a real sense, we are still missing half the picture, so to speak. Crunching the ubiquitous popcorn while those on the screen are dining on Chateaubriand is akin to watching GONE WITH THE WIND(1939) in black and white, or JAWS 3D (1983) without the glasses.

Imagine the feeling of connection, of total involvement, if we could actually eat the same food as was being consumed by our heroes on the big screen. There are very few things more intimate to our bodies than eating, and the ability to share a meal with the stars is the ability to share that intimacy. In a sense, it is consuming the film itself. Eyes, ears and palate. This is total involvement.

It may not be for everyones taste, but then again, nor is every movie experience the same for each individual.

Along with listing movies for film food, I have also included various recipes that could be prepared and enjoyed when viewing the related movies. Better still, choose or create your own recipes or dishes.

One day, somewhere in the early 1980s, I and three of my friends decided to have a Robin Hood day. We were all fans of the Errol Flynn classic