“Big Night” Trailer

On Sunday, April 7, 2013, the Food & Film Series will present “Big Night” – The Film and the Feast, a fundraiser for the Nevada City Film Festival and Miners Foundry Cultural Center.  The event is an exciting and unique cinematic, dining, and cultural experience pairing the critically acclaimed film “Big Night” starring Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub with a traditional Italian feast just like the one in the film.  The evening’s featured film will be screened in the historic Osborn/Woods Hall at the Miners Foundry where state of the art projection and sound will be brought in for viewing pleasure.

Following the film, celebrated & award winning local Chef Antonio Ayestaran will create a mouth watering five course meal of traditional Italian dishes for guests to savor while enjoying Italian wine & the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, & Louis Prima.

Doors open at 3:30 pm, and the film begins at 4:00pm with dinner to follow. Tickets are $65.00 General Admission and $60.00 for Miners Foundry / Magic Lantern Film Society Members. Reserve a table for 8 and receive 2 bottles of wine (red and white).   Reservations must be made by April 2, 2013 to reserve your dinner and seat.  Tickets are available online, in person or by phone at the Miners Foundry and at Briar Patch Co-Op.

 Table for 8

MF & MLFS Members

General Admission

“There is just something very special about the film “Big Night” that resonates with everyone who watches it,” explained Jesse Locks, Festival Director for the Nevada City Film Festival, a non profit organization that provides art, entertainment, education, and culture through the medium of film and video.  “And no matter how many times you’ve seen it, you fall in love with the characters, the story, and the food all over again.”

“Big Night” was released to critical acclaim in 1996.  The Washington Post raved, “A scrumptious tale of great food and grand passions”, while the L.A. Times wrote, “As delicately and deliciously prepared as the dishes it features, “Big Night” is a lyric to the love of food, family, and persuasive acting.”  It went on to be nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the “Grand Special Prize” at the Deauville Film Festival.

“Big Night” is the tale of two immigrant brothers from Abruzzo who own and operate a restaurant called “Paradise”.  One brother, Primo (Tony Shalhoub) is a brilliant, perfectionist chef who chafes under their few customer’s expectations of “Americanized” Italian food.  Their uncle’s offer for them to return to Rome to help with his restaurant is becoming more and more appealing to Primo.  The other brother, Secondo (Stanley Tucci) is the restaurant’s manager, who is enamored of the possibilities presented by their new endeavor and life in America.  Despite Secondo’s efforts and Primo’s magnificent food, their restaurant is failing.  They host a final “Big Night” to save the restaurant.  The film also stars Minnie Driver, Isabella Rosellini, and Marc Anthony.  “Big Night” literally makes your mouth salivate and your stomach growl!  It’s that good!  And not just because of the amazing Italian food, but the superb acting and plot.

Following the film, attendees will enjoy a dinner perfect for both vegetarians and carnivores.  Chef Antonio’s menu includes summer greens tossed in a light balsamic vinaigrette, garnished with hearts of palm, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and feta cheese; chef carved bacon wrapped pork loin stuffed with sun-dried tree fruit with Marsala Sauce; chicken scaloppini made of boneless chicken thighs braised in a rich brandy and sherry wine sauce with portobella mushrooms, tomatoes, roasted garlic and green onions; herb roasted wild mushroom stuffed tomatoes with pecorino cheese; sun-dried tomato risotto garnished with crispy kale and parmesan cheese; and for dessert, frozen port zabaglione served with a chocolate biscotti and fresh berries.

Last year, the Nevada City Film Festival and Miners Foundry kicked off the Food & Film Series with “Big Night”.  The event was wildly popular and sold out.  “After last year’s “Big Night” we had so many people calling and emailing asking if we were going to do it again, it seemed only right to make it a tradition,” explained Gretchen Bond, Executive Director of the Miners Foundry.  “It’s also a fun way for people to show their support of these two community based organizations.”

 

Located in the heart of downtown Nevada City, the Miners Foundryis a California Registered Historic Landmark.  From its earliest days as a machine shop that spawned such modern marvels as the Pelton Wheel to its current use as Nevada County’s premiere cultural arts and community center, it is a symbol of California’s rich historical heritage, providing and educational and social bridge from our past to the present and future.  From rock concerts and artisan festivals to community fundraisers and weddings, the Foundry hosts more than 400 events a year.

 

One of those events is the annual Nevada City Film Festival.  Now in it’s 13th year, the Nevada City Film Festival and its Magic Lantern Film Society present a year long program including a four day film festival that celebrates independent film and film making, and hosts filmmakers from around the world.  Nevada City Film Festival also supports local film making with the Young Filmmakers Music & Film Project which brings together budding young filmmakers and local musicians, and the Young Filmmakers Grant.