Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers
Directed by Les Blank
1980/US
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
I love Les Blank’s documentaries about food and music. Here we explore garlic and the people who love it. We also learn about the history, health benefits, culinary uses and psychotropic properties of the stinking rose. We also visit the Gilroy Garlic festival, which I have been to. I love garlic and I wanted to disappear into all the folksy, hippie-esque fun.
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Toothache (Dandan Dard)
Directed by Abbas Kiarostami
Written by Abbas Kiarostami
1980/Iran
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
This is a didactic, cautionary tale about what suffering awaits those who do not attend to their oral hygiene. It would be extremely dry if not for Kiarostami’s wry take on the experience of his child exemplar. Not must see viewing by any means.
No clip so here is an interview with the director.
