today we went to another free screening held by the LA film fest. today we saw maquilapolis. if you are part of the 1st world or 3rd world, if you consume, and especially if you live in north america, you should watch this film and films like it. become aware of where your products come from, who makes them, and the general effect that globalization has on the earth and the people. there were a couple things (filmmaker choices) that i wasn't into, but overall the film does a great job at presenting the issues by focusing on a few of the workers as case studies. plus, this is an even rarer film as a documentary for not just going to observe, but having the observed become the participants. the factory workers of tijuana were the subject but they also learned the legal side of the issues, became activists themselves, and learned how to operate the cameras. they were part of the process for making the film which is the major difference and makes "maquilapolis" a film to see.

after the screening, there was a q&a session and then you could talk to one of the directors and two of the women in the film outside the theater as well. i just had to ask how they managed to get pauline oliveros to do the soundtrack (which was excellent of course). sergio de la torre said that the other director vicky funari had worked with her before. ah ha! then we walked down the block to eat at native foods (westwood). surprise surprise but who should be there than tanya the owner herself. she was crouched down on the floor and we didn't see her. twiddle thumbs wanted one of her favorite items that is no longer on the menu. i told her to ask if they could still make it for her. a voice replied from the floor: "yes, we can make it". twiddle thumbs looked down and i heard her say, "hey, you're tanya!" cool cool. i like tanya because she is nice, went to ucsc, and has the best vegan cookbook out there that i have come across. the recipes are easy to make and delicious. if you like americanized food, then i really don't think you can go wrong with that cookbook.