AFC Homegrown Foodways Film
El Camino del Mole a New Orleans
El Camino del Mole a New Orleans chronicles the story of Ivan Castillo, originally from Veracruz, who immigrated to New Orleans after Katrina. He began working in clean up and reconstruction but soon moved to the restaurant industry. He worked in multiple kitchens, then as head cook in a Honduran-owned restaurant. In pursuit of more autonomy, he opened a street food vending business in a local flea market with his partner, Gilberto. The two have dabbled in multiple cooking venues across greater New Orleans– including their current restaurant project “Antojitos Garibaldi.” At the same time they have been integral in supporting the LGBTQ+ community through their Miss Gay Latina annual pageants.
This is the second of two films in the 2023 Homegrown Foodways Film Series
Film #1: El Camino del Pan a Baltimore
Film #2: El Camino del Mole a New Orleans
The films are produced by Professor Sarah Fouts, Fernando Lopez, and Andy Dahl (see bios below). Together, the films ask the question: “How do immigrants use food cultures to shape space and place in these Southern cities?” From their work as street vendors to building community through their food traditions, Jose and Ivan have each taken unique approaches to carve their own niches in these urban places.
Both films will be available on https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/ and the Library’s YouTube Channel after their initial premiere dates.
The Homegrown Foodways Film Series premieres on the Folklife Today Blog.
Featuring
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D. Sarah Fouts
Dr. Sarah Fouts is an Assistant Professor in the Department of American Studies and director of the Public Humanities Minor program at UMBC who is completing a book manuscript on the stories of Central American and Mexican food industry workers in post-Katrina New Orleans.
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Andy Dahl
Andy Dahl is a public artist, filmmaker and Manager of Neighborhood Programs at the Southeast Community Development Corporation. Andy came to Baltimore from New Orleans in 2012 to complete an MFA program from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
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Fernando Lopez
Fernando Lopez is a Mexican-born cultural documentarian, organizer and interpreter who has helped organize and curate spaces dedicated to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities across the US south for the last 10 years.
