To celebrate Dieter Kosslick’s 10th year as director of the Berlinale, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is dedicating a film series to him. Entitled “Carte Blanche: Dieter Kosslick, the Culinary Cineaste”, MoMA will be screening eleven films from August 22 to 30, 2011.

Director of the Berlin International Film Festival since May 2001, Dieter Kosslick has long been engaged in issues related to food, pleasure and ecology, as well as their cultural significance and cinematic presentation.
MoMA’s Chief Curator of Film Rajendra Roy has invited Dieter Kosslick to select eleven food-related films from MoMA’s collection.

“In 2007 we launched Culinary Cinema to call attention to the relationship between film, culture, cuisine and the environment. Food brings people together and connects them with their surroundings. A country’s cuisine is a yardstick of its culture. I kindly thank MoMA and especially Rajendra Roy for this wonderful invitation.”

Gabriel Kreuther, chef of The Modern restaurant at MoMA, will conceive dishes inspired by the films in the series. Kreuther is from Alsace and has worked in New York since 1997. He has received numerous awards, including a Michelin star for his creations at The Modern.

At MoMA on August 23, a panel discussion on “Food, Culture and Ecology” will be held with renowned food writer and editor Ruth Reichl, celebrated chefs Gabriel Kreuther and Michael Romano as well as Dieter Kosslick.

MoMA Chief Curator Rajendra Roy: „The 'Carte Blanche' series at MoMA provides an opportunity for individuals of singular importance in the film industry to create their own stories by curating great works of cinema from the museum's collection. I'm thrilled that Dieter has chosen to share his passion for culture, cuisine and social responsibility through the selection of these films. Together with the nightly special menu at The Modern, this show will be an opportunity for New York to celebrate the charismatic Dieter Kosslick, and provide some cinematic food for the soul.”
The Department of Film at MoMA has the most comprehensive international film collection in the United States; it includes works from all periods and genres.
“Carte Blanche: Dieter Kosslick, the Culinary Cineaste” film screenings:

Big Night, USA 1996. Directed by Stanley Tucci, Campbell Scott. With Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Tony Shaloub, Stanley Tucci.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, USA 2011. Directed by David Gelb. With Jiro Ono.

Food, Inc., USA 2008. Directed by Robert Kenner. With Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan, Joel Salatin.

Bella Martha/Drei Sterne (Mostly Martha), Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy 2001.
Written and directed by Sandra Nettelbeck. With Martina Gedeck, Sergio Castellito.

Sideways, USA 2004. Directed by Alexander Payne. With Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh.

Regain (Harvest), France 1936. Written and directed by Marcel Pagnol. With Gabriel Gabrio, Orane Demazis, Fernandel, Marguerite Moreno.

Babettes Gæstebud (Babette's Feast), Denmark 1986. Written and directed by Gabriel Axel. With Stéphane Audran, Jean-Philippe Lafont

Ratatouille, USA 2007. Written and directed by Brad Bird. Co-directed by Jan Pinkava.

Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), France/Spain/Italy 1971. Directed by Luis Buñuel. With Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig, Stéphane Audran, Jean-Pierre Cassel.

Le quattro volte, Italy/Germany/Switzerland 2010. Written and directed by Michelangelo Frammartino. With Giuseppe Fuda, Bruno Timpano, Nazareno Timpano.

Kings of Pastry, USA/Great Britain/Netherlands 2010. Directed and edited by D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus.

For further information:http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/films/1194