NAVARRA GOURMET

The fine reception given to this co-production between Brazil and Italy has enabled it to take the leap forward onto the international distribution circuit. Getting away from the usual clichés of Brazilian film (violence, football, poverty, favelas, etc.), it tells a universal, entertaining and sensual story in which gastronomy becomes just one more character – a fable in which power, sex and food become viscerally combined. It was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Biarritz Festival and the Public Prize at that of Río de Janeiro. It was also screened at the Valladolid International Film Festival, where it obtained the Golden Spike for the best film and cash awards for the Best New Director and Best Leading Actor.

João Miguel, with the appearance of a noble type who arrives in the city from the country, is the actor who plays Raimundo Nonato, a simple and naïve man who is trying to make ends meet and be able to have lunch and dinner on the same day. He finds a job in the bar owned by Mr. Zulmiro, there discovering his innate talent for preparing meals. With his "coxinhas", he transforms the place into a successful premises. Noticing his skills, Giovanni, the owner of a well-known Italian restaurant, hires him as an assistant. Thus, a journey of discovery begins for Nonato, of recipes, flavours and – of course – wine. His life changes and starts to take off socially. He meets Íria, a Fellinian prostitute, with whom he establishes an ancestral exchange of sex in return for food. In Brazilian Portuguese, the verb “to eat” also means to make love.

From his mastery in the kitchen derives his culinary and social climb up the ladder – and as he gradually acquires power, losing his innocence, he observes that the world is made up of those who eat and those who are devoured. The same thing occurs during his time in prison – passages that are narrated using editing that alternates with the previous story. Until well into the film, the moment is not revealed when Nonato has been imprisoned there, becoming the favourite cook of the most feared criminals – something that enables him to enjoy a certain status on the prison ladder. Scenes such as the banquet offered by the criminal boss to the new “capo” arriving in prison are memorable – and helped "Estomago" to be defined as a type of Brazilian-style "Babette’s Feast ".

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May 2009

Monday 18^th May

Mediterranean diet

Tuesday 19^th May

Stomach

Wednesday 20^th May

The chicken, the fish and the deep sea red crab

Participants in the 6th Film and Gastronomy Festival will receive complimentary samples of Navarre Designation of Origin products after each session:

• Tuesday 19th May, Roncal Cheese and Idiazabal.