Berlinale and food meet

“Give Food a Chance” is the motto of the 5th Culinary Cinema of the 61st Berlinale. It will be held from February 13 to 18, 2011. Twelve films about food and the environment will be shown in the movie theatre at the Martin-Gropius-Bau.

Following the screenings at 7:30pm, the renowned chef Sonja Frühsammer as well as Michelin star chefs Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Kammeier, Michael Kempf and Tim Raue will serve meals that have been inspired by the films in the “Gropius Mirror” restaurant, an elegant tent lined with mirrors. (€59 for film and prix fixe menu). The late screenings (€8) at 10pm are not followed by a menu. However, the restaurant and bar are open for all festival guests from 11:30pm to 2am.

Dieter Kosslick sums up this year’s Culinary Cinema: “Let’s give food a chance to become the focal point of our lives again and not poisonous junk disguised as food. During the Berlinale ten years ago, we began cooking with an awareness for quality and serving decent wines. And then five years ago we launched Culinary Cinema to call attention to the relationship between film, culture, cuisine and the environment. Food brings people together and connects them to their surroundings. A country’s cuisine is a yardstick of its culture.”