Flavors is a documentary film about the diverse culture of Montgomery County, Maryland, as told through the lense of food. Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the survival of many small businesses has been threatened, including beloved local staples that make up the very fabric of the community. We do not want to lose any of the wonderful restaurants that are unique to our collective culture. The goal of this film is to raise awareness that these restaurants are still here, that they are a part of our community, and that the greater public may enjoy them in order to aid in their survival.
This documentary project is a follow up to the 2019 film Fabric, that took an in-depth look at the intersection of community and culture in Montgomery County. It is also a follow up to the 2018 film My Montgomery, which showed the places and people who make up the county's diverse businesses and entrepreneurial spirit.
Through the Flavors documentary, there will be increased diverse film programming in our community. The film will be constructive in exploring and communicating the cultural importance of diverse food & drink, improve general communication within the community, and help develop multicultural understanding. 100+ live video attendees shall participate in a screening of film, with more able to access it through online replay. Through the screening participants will be able to hear and discuss viewpoints beyond their own to gain greater multicultural understanding and build relationships that nurture diversity and celebrate the unique differences and similarities existing in our global, regional, & local communities. Participants include representatives of the African and Arab-American communities, as well as other local minority populations, county-based educators, and regional organizations that respect rich ALAANA representation.