Les Blank's Short Films Tenth Offering in A&M International's Feasting on Light: 2001 Fall Film Festival

The tenth offering of Texas A&M International University's Fall Film Festival Series: "Feasting on Light" consists of two short films by director Les Blank: Garlic Is As Good As 10 Mothers and Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe. The films will be shown Wednesday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Bullock Hall 101 and are free and open to the public.

Les Blank is a prolific filmmaker, documenting the strange and out-of-the way for over 40 years. In the two films to be shown at the festival, Blank explores the joy of life and what makes it important. Garlic chronicles the mystery and mystic of garlic, delving into the history, consumption and lore. Blank interviews Alice Waters, chef of Chez Panisse, a sophisticated restaurant in Berkeley, Calif. and takes the viewer to a garlic festival where this pungent bulb is loved in all its forms.

In Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe, Werner Herzog, noted German director, eats his leather boot with broth, spices and garlic...really. Herzog told a young filmmaker that if he successfully finished a documentary about pet cemeteries, Herzog would eat his shoe. The film was finished, Herzog judged it successful, and invited a packed house to come watch him fulfill his vow, to honor the dedication and genius of the student filmmaker.

The two films are not rated and are suitable for all viewers.

After the show, there will be 15 to 30 minutes of commentary and questions and answers, led by Series creators Dr. Sean M. Chadwell and Dr. William J. Nichols II, both assistant professors in the College of Arts and Humanities.

The next film in the Series is A Chef In Love and will be shown on November 28.

For more information, contact either Drs. Chadwell or Nichols by phone, at 326.2471, 326.2610, visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 418C, room 421B or visit the festival's website: http://www.tamiu.edu/~wnichols/food.htm.

University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu