Lovely lovely short Canadian NFB film about 'immigrant' food from the seventies.

[Puffin3]

I'm making the N. France rabbit stew this week! http://www.nfb.ca/film/hold_the_ketchup

[lagatta]

At just before 3:00 there is a shot of Fruiterie Milano, which is very close to my place near the Jean-Talon Market in Montréal. It is still going strong, and has expanded greatly since the 1970s, taking over shops on either side of the original premises. Most recent renovation-expansion just completed. Of course the prices are different!

Think this film is at least in Montréal and in Toronto - Nowadays it would be imperative to do a Vancouver documentary, with the many Asian influences.

I did have friends from South America, and from Algeria, back then, but here in Montréal the various Latin American communities have greatly expanded and diversified, and there are whole neighbourhoods from the North African (Maghrebi) countries.

Our Lebanese/Syrian communities are over 100 years old, but got a boost for unfortunate reasons with the many years of conflict in the Levant. Not to mention all the newcomers who arrived from Vietnam, as well as Cambodia and Laos.

The Haitian community also has deep roots, but is very large in Montréal now.

Heading out to Milano and to the market right now!

[Puffin3]

I wonder if the manager/owners know about the film? I bet they'd like to see it. Maybe trade the web 'link' for some of their 'links' IYKWIM LOL

[Googs]

I don't recognize any Toronto locations. What did you notice?

Immigration patterns are unique to each Canadian city. I think it would be as important to have a Winnipeg version as it would be Vancouver. This for more than just nostalgia's sake.

The film stands as a reminder of a time when people were closer to their food. Restaurants were where you went when it was a landmark birthday or celebration. Day to day required creativity and a budget. Nowadays, I couldn't pick a proper piece of fish without a guide if my life depended on it. Watching the woman open the gills was humbling.

The interaction between vendor and shopper was a much more intimate experience. It brought culture to your home kitchen and welcome to the new cultures.

[Tripeler]

Since the film was made in 1977, I would be surprised if ANY of the locations could be recognized today. LIkely that many are closed. The film is 20 minutes, but after I started watching it I couldn't stop until it was over. Great look at the immigrants of the past.

[Googs]

Oh if they had shot at the Italian deli/bakery near my childhood home I would most certainly have recognized it. It's closed, but my head still turns and a small sigh sneaks out each time I pass it's former location.

[ios94]

Pretty sure it's all filmed in Montreal. Albert Kish has some other interesting Montreal based short NFB docs, check out, "Our Street Was Paved with Gold" as well.

[lagatta]

That is possible; some of the locations seemed Torontonian to me, but it was just an impression.

[CanadaGirl]

So interesting!

[vil]

Thank you for sharing such a delicious film.

Just want to point out that there is a brief moment of animal violence at around 16:00, which caused mild distress to my 4 y.o. She had stewed rabbit in mustard before, and enjoyed it, so it was a good moment to explain to her where meat comes from.

[Puffin3]

Yeah, we all end up knowing sooner or later :(
Most of us anyway.

[ios94]

I posted that video in your "Foodies video" thread in the Media section.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/888464

[Maximilien]

Hehehe!!! nice!

It's funny how things change (and not).

[Googs]

What's it called?

[Puffin3]

Sorry, I was so moved I forgot the link.http://www.nfb.ca/film/hold_the_ketchup

[Googs]

Wow! They should make a film like that in every major Canadian city.