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In short KinoVino offers a multi-censorial experience of food, wine and cinema, a perfect idea conjured up by Alissa Timoshkina, who holds a PhD in Film History. Acting as hostess for this series of curated events, which feature a smorgasbord of cult cinema classics, accompanied by a carefully created menu of food to match the films culture of origin. I was thoroughly intrigued by the concept, with so many dining clubs etc going on these days, which try and often fail to be unique, KinoVino is something that is truly a cut above the rest. Melding together the three great passions of the epicure – film, food and wine.
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Above – Alissa preparing the table for a recent event Below – The staple refreshment for KinoVino.
Determined to find out more, I spoke with Alissa, who gave me the rundown on where the idea for KinoVino emerged – “A few factors came into play. I have been working in film exhibition for the past eight years, and have a PhD in film history. I absolutely love cooking and can’t get enough of hosting dinner parties for friends and family. But these two strands really came together when I was in Cape Town last Christmas, where I have visited A LOT of vine yards. I was really impressed and inspired by how eloquent and creative some sommeliers were with their descriptions of wine. So my boyfriend and I were brainstorming (after a few glasses) and came up with this idea of marrying the three things I love the most – cinema, food and wine. The idea of KinoVino was born in a beautiful vineyard in Cape Town.”
KinoVino is still in its infancy, yet it has attracted a number of curious culture vultures, eager to experience this innovative combination, as Alissa says – “It is a very young project still but so far the response has been great. I got a lot of encouragement from my friends, of course, but also through people I only know via Instagram. I really didn’t expect the first KinoVino to do so well. It was over-sold and people were calling on the day asking if I could squeeze them in. It was one of the best nights!”
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Above – Scene from ‘The Color of Pomegranates’ Middle – Director Sergei Parajanov Below – Scene from ‘The Color of Pomegranates’
KinoVino’s upcoming event is a celebration of Armenian-Georgian filmmaker and artist Sergei Parajanov, a man who defied Soviet convention of Socialist Realism, and created his own style of cinema, a lustrous concoction of deep symbolism, metaphor and expression. Alissa says – “Parajanov is an ethnically Armenian film-maker, born in Georgia and making films under the Soviet studio system. So in this session I would love to capture the amazingly creative vibe of his work as well as to celebrate the food and wine from the Caucasian region. I personally adore Georgian and Armenian food, and cook a lot of it at home, plus I think it will be very interesting for my guest to experience how it is similar to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food yet that it has some very distinct flavours and textures. The event will also offer a wine tasting of rare Georgian and Armenian wines (not available for purchase at your local Tesco) and will be presented by a professional sommelier. So it really is a treat of an evening.”
The genius of Parajanov holds a special place in Alissa’s heart – “I fell in love with the cinema of Parajanov when I was an undergraduate film student, and after a friend of mine gave me a gorgeous catalogue of his art work (he was also an artist as well as film director), I have been dreaming of organising a festival of his work. This dream came true when I had a chance to co-organise a huge festival of Sergei Parajanov in London and Bristol in 2010. I have learnt so much more about him by meeting people who knew him. He really was a remarkable person and a brilliant party host. His dinners were legendary. So this is what I would really love to capture and re-create in my evening (and make him proud!).”
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Scenes from ‘The Color of Pomegranates’
An evening of flavoursome Caucasian cuisine entwined with evocative cinema awaits, as Alissa finalises the plans. It is sure to be an event to remember, and yet another success for KinoVino.
The Food of the Caucasus
A devoted foodie, Alissa will be delving into the cookbooks to create a mouthwatering selection of treats for the evening. Sourced from Alissa’s Instagram account – borsch_and_no_tears, below is a handful of just what to expect in terms of tempting culinary delights.
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All photos related to KinoVino courtesy of Alissa Timoshkina and all other photos sourced from Tumblr.