Pre-Show: The Iraqi Family Cooking Show, at the New Voices Festival
Like many, fourth year actor Laith Al-Kinani has gained a new appreciation for food and cooking throughout the past year, specifically the Iraqi cultural food of his family. Laith fondly remembers the many dishes present at birthdays, weddings, and family gathering, most of which were prepared by his grandmother, who immigrated from Iraq to Windsor, Ontario in 1996. Since her death two years ago, the Al-Kinani family has also lost all of these recipes, as Laith's grandmother never wrote them down. A new documentary beaing presented as part of the New Voices Festival, The Iraqi Family Cooking Show invites viewers into the process of mother and son working to rediscover these recipes, pulling from Laith’s mother’s memories of helping in the kitchen, and Laith’s taste-memory of the many dishes. The film will also introduce viewers to the robust Iraqi community Windsor, including the markets and restaurants that share traditional ingredients and dishes.
“One thing that drew me to this project was the family and cultural connection” shares co-producer, and fellow fourth year actor Mark Talman. Mark is interested in the relationships between different generations that his documentary showcases. He appreciates the personal and intimate connections present in the film which help viewers feel as though they are “on the other side of the counter, present for these authentic conversations in the kitchen.”
Laith hopes the documentary will encourage audiences to learn more about other cultures through the intricacies of their traditional foods and preparation techniques. “That’s how culture exchanges happen” shares Laith, “There are larger things happening here. [My family is] Iraqi living in Canada, and so we are part of that mosaic of culture. A few generations from now, this Iraqi food may become something you see everywhere, like how Jamaican patties are [being sold] at every subway station”.
The film is currently in post-production, and the team is turning their focus to promotions and fundraising to support the creation. Beyond the New Voices Festival, Laith and Mark envisions The Iraqi Family Cooking Show as a multi-episode television program, focusing on a different dish each time.
Laith, Mark and their entire production team are learning a lot through this process. Laith highlighted the challenges of writing a non-fiction script, and ensuring the piece can still reach a satisfying conclusion. Laith advises other emerging creators to “follow their gut”. “In first year I had so many ideas for what I wanted to do as my final project for New Voices. I let go of this expectation I put on myself, and instead examined what I wanted to do now.” Once honed in on that vision, Laith encourages creators to think practically, and map out how the vision can be attained.
Mark expands on this advice “don’t overwhelm yourself by thinking it has to be some grande scale big thing. Don’t feel that just because you write something, you have to star in it - there are plenty of opportunities behind the scenes”, as Mark is learning first-hand as a co-producer.
"New Voices, a festival of original work by the Ryerson School of Performance Acting graduates, now in its 17th year, has always adapted to the varied and innovative needs of its productions. New Voices 2021 continues this tradition by celebrating this capstone work with live virtual performances, films, readings, a website, music and more." - Clara McBride, instructor of Creative Performance Studies
Over the coming weeks, we’ll continue to share stories about the processes behind other New Voices Festival presentations, such as Drama Kids, by Angela Marriott.