![\"Now](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/santafefilmfestival.com\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/now-forager-a-film-about-love-fungi.jpg\")
<\/a>There have been reports about the culinary connection of this film (read them here: http:\/\/nowforager.com\/press\/), and while that is certainly part of the impetus of foraging for Lucien (Jason Cortlund) and Regina (Tiffany Esteb), there is a whole world more to it \u2013 and this film \u2013 than cooking.<\/p>\nThe couple seems completely at odds with each other and their desires throughout the entire film. So, we rely on Lucien to inform the truth of the story through the allegory of fungus: that it is \u201chard to tell a relationship at a distance. Sometimes, you never know.\u201d The heartbeat of the film is Lucien\u2019s obsession, his rhythmic chanting of his encyclopedic knowledge of genus, species, and fatal or culinary outcomes of each cap. One of my favorite parts was his seeing \u2018shrooms in everything \u2014 fire hydrants and garbage popped out of the background \u2014 when he was at his lowest and still searching for his place in life and love. Nature is clearly where we want to be in this film, not cities, not with people, and as it becomes his truth \u2013 where Lucien winds up.<\/p>\n
My other favorite part was Lucien\u2019s brush with Russian foragers. Mushrooming is a cutthroat business. Even here in New Mexico in the Jemez Mountains where in a bumper year truckloads of porcini can be found, one must watch for the Russian foragers\u2014who carry rifles, not machetes. I gratefully got a paper sack full of them on one such year, but my friends to this day will not divulge the region where they found them for fear of dangerous competitors.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, Forager\u201d gives a realistic view of the world of fine dinning and who we rely on for little bits of fancy feasting joy. And while it is a far cry from skipping tra-la through the woods or eating ants \u2013 it is a lush, frustrating, interesting slice of life that tries to make it on passion alone.<\/p>\n
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SFFF and Coyote Caf\u00e9, present \u201cNow, Forager<\/a>\u201d Film Screening Starting at 5:00 PM followed by Q & A with Filmmaker Jason Cortlund at the\u00a0New Mexico History Museum, 113 Lincoln Avenue, Santa Fe.<\/p>\n
\nOn Wednesday, December 5, 2012 Santa Fe\u2019s cineaste\u2019s and foodies will come together for a delicious pairing of Film and Fungi!<\/p>\n