Food and Film Collide at the 40 th Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Story by Aja Goare
Photography by Dustin Klemann
Looking on at the Hollywood stars as they waived to fans and smiled for photographs at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, it would be hard to imagine such a silver screen debonaire in any other line of work. But as Oscar nominees Adrien Brody and Guy Pearce shared during their on-stage interview with Pete Hammond, acting wasn’t their original career path.
Adrien, who is nominated for his role in The Brutalist, once practiced as a magician under the name “The Amazing Adrien.” And Guy, who is also nominated for the 2025 film, had been training as a body builder before he set his eyes on a camera. During the interview where the men received the Hammond Cinema Vanguard award in February, they shared other lesser-known details about their lives and acting careers. It is this kind of intimate and illuminating discussion that is a cornerstone of this coastal cinema festival, which is now in its 40th year.
The two men greeted a small group of fans and shook hands at the after party sponsored by DAOU Vineyards of Paso Robles. The winery’s award-winning Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Chardonnay were poured throughout the evening, including at the earlier Filmmakers Happy Hour. Under the dimly lit canopy adjacent to the Arlington Theater, supporters of the actors got to share a brief exchange before venturing off to one of the festival’s many films on offer.
One such film was Mistress Dispeller, a documentary feature film about a peculiar line of work in China that aims to save disrupted marriages. In the film, the audience follows a couple in their 60s who has been drifting apart for some time. This relationship is threatened when the male counterpart meets a much younger woman with whom he begins a romantic relationship. The wife hires Teacher Wang, a “mistress dispeller,” to help bring the relationship back from the edge of crises. This unique portrait of marriage offers a look at the societal pressures that fall largely on women, but on singles in general, and the real cost of infidelity on not just the union, but the individual. At the film’s end, Director Elizabeth Lo fielded questions from the audience about the film. She gave insights on the challenges in finding the right couple to shadow, which took many years and failed attempts.
Another film that featured a teacher, albeit one of fewer words, was The Penguin Lessons. Starring Steve Coogan, the story follows a bitter English teacher in Argentina during a turbulent political crisis. Disenchanted by his toiling career and disinterested students, the teacher takes a weekend trip to Uruguay where he has a chance encounter with a penguin. Despite his efforts, he can’t seem to shake the bird and it comes with him back to campus. What ensues is a comedic, yet dark at times, true story of how the penguin engaged his students while inspiring the teacher to look at life in a new light.
Dozens of documentaries, feature films, and short films played at the festival, many of which made their world debut in one of Santa Barbara’s classic theaters. Between screenings, attendees had the opportunity to sit down at beloved local eateries like The Lark, Toma Restaurant, Opal or Palace. A small treat from Lokum’s case of Turkish delicacies or a flaky croissant from Renaud’s Bistro powered guests up before their next movie viewing. The intersection of food and film at SBIFF is unrivaled in a community not far from San Luis Obispo, where a short drive can offer film fans a day of spectating punctuated by delicious meals.
Along with paid tickets and passes, the festival offers free films and panels in an effort to be inclusive. Visit their website to learn more and plan ahead for the 2026 festival.
