Dear Cinevores,

Today, we have a greater variety of entertainment than ever before. Yet at the theaters where we feed our cinematic appetites, the menu offers the same sweet, buttery popcorn over and over and over. In this ‘Planet Hollywood’ there is no sushi, no tandoori, not even matzo ball soup. All the pleasurable delicacies of mature taste are not on the menu – only Coca-cola to wash down the Goobers. In this global marketplace of ideas, the freedom to choose what we want to ingest is usually restricted or down right abused.

Imagine a world with no Brigitte Bardot, no Marcello Mastroianni, no Toshiro Mifune, no Gretta Garbo. What kind of “Art” would cinema be if it weren’t for the unique perspectives and sensitivities of Fedrico Fellini, of Akira Kurosawa, of Ingmar Bergman. The ideas and viewpoints expressed in the films from these and other filmmakers could not be made in America or even in English.  The places we are shown have the ‘unintentional’ by-product of educating us as well. Who knew Indians take cars to work, not elephants? Who knew in the midst of fundamentalism in Iran, there are such outspoken, opinionated women? Who knew that in the former Soviet Union some of the most extraordinary films ever made had nothing to do with propaganda? Who knew Korea could be so damn scary?  

These are the new cuisines and spices that inspire me. The diversity available in World Cinema is awe-inspiring, and usually at a fraction of the costs of their U.S. counterparts. I believe our films can be just as exciting and shocking in their creativity and originality,  providing  quality entertainment that can be financially successful.

When you think of the best meal you ever had, there must have been something so unique about it that it would stand the test of time over the tens of thousands of meals you would consume. Why not invest in a worthwhile repast that one can remember for a lifetime? When you are sitting back in your favorite theater ready to receive your sustenance, keep this in mind: as a ticket buyer this exotic cuisine costs the exact same as McDonald’s. But what you receive could  be more filling as well as better for you.

Um... I'm hungry.

Bon appetit!

VINDALOO PHILM-WALLAH

Preston Miller