Monday Night Movie: "A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot" and Q&A with Director

This week we are showing “A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot."

“In the '70s and '80s, there were over 230 feminist restaurants, cafes, and coffeehouses throughout the United States and Canada. Bloodroot, located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is now the oldest and longest-lasting of those spaces, and it has been in continuous operation for over 46 years. The film explores this feminist, queer, vegan restaurant and bookstore, and illuminates the legacy of its pioneering proprietors, Selma Miriam and Noel Furie.”– Rotten Tomatoes 

Director: Annie Laurie Medonis

Year: 2024

This movie is 1 hour and 18 minutes and is not rated. 

Watch the official trailer.

Q&A Session: Following the screening, stay with us for an engaging Q&A session with the esteemed director Annie Laurie Medonis. Discover the behind-the-scenes insights, the passion that fueled the making of the film. 

About the Director

Annie Laurie Medonis gained experience from anchoring, producing, shooting, and editing several sports segments for three years and then realized her passion for storytelling and documentary filmmaking. In 2016, Medonis created a documentary called "Real Active Women." It highlights female athletes for their talent and strives for respect. Medonis interviewed female athletes and discussed the struggles within women's sports, and what we think could mitigate these problems. The "Real Active Women" Documentary received official selections from Diamond in the Rough Cut and Artemis Film Festival. 

Concurrently managing "Real Active Women," Medonis became the production manager, videographer, and editor for ACK Film. Medonis selected and managed crews for productions, recorded and edited content for shows, created a sizzle reel, and took on the role as assistant editor for the documentary, "The Forgotten Plague." 

While working for ACK Film, Medonis created the second company, ALM Productions. Medonis manages productions, shoot and edits videos for different clients, and produces her own content. In 2016, Medonis created a short film on domestic violence called "Shackles of Fury." It received four official selections, one honorable mention, and a nomination from film festivals. 

About the Moderator

Rose Lauture brings a personal connection to Bloodroot. Over ten years of working at the restaurant, her roles evolved from washing dishes and preparing salads to cooking meals and managing the staff schedule—experiences that fostered a lasting bond with the founders and a deep understanding of the restaurant’s vision and its impact on the community. This connection led to her meeting director Annie Laurie Medonis, which blossomed into Rose’s role as both a featured voice and associate producer in the documentary.