Respecting Your Food

On our ever expanding list of must watch films is Temple Grandin. Saw it last night. Claire Danes is the title character who is autistic and becomes an influential pioneer in the development of more humane treatment of cattle in livestock farms and slaughter plants, certainly important for foodies who, or need to develop, respect for what they eat.. I was not only bowled over by Claire Danes' performance but also by the score by Alex Wurman. The music at first reminded me of Philip Glass but takes it own emotional turns, perfectly matching the dramatic development. The work of both Danes and Wurman are among the 14 Emmy nominations garnered by the film. The award ceremonies are on August 29. The DVD is now out or you can go to HBO on demand and see it. Wonderful film.

On the subject of confronting and respecting your food, I urge all to read Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter. It is the upbeat account of raising poultry, rabbits, pigs and bees in the middle of a rundown neighborhood in Oakland. It is hilarious, brilliant and especially poignant.