Sunday, July 31, 2011

12 Films Project Update: July's Inspiring Profile of Kocurek Family Charcuterie

We recently posted about the 12 Films Project, Austin filmmaker Christian Remde's ongoing quest to hit us with one film for each month in 2011. At the time, he was working on the July film, a documentary about the local Kocurek Family Charcuterie operation. Remde delivered the July product a few days early, on the 28th.

Charcuterie is an excellent effort. The short project time surely required Remde and his team to keep things simple, but some of the shots are as pretty as one of Chef Larry's layered terrines. There's plenty of good background on the business and the scene here, but the highlight really is the subject couple, Larry and Lee Ann. The two share the ups and downs of launching their small business warmly and honestly. The stories about being faced with the reality of having to shell out four figures a month for day care just to stay at jobs that didn't provide what they were looking for were easy to relate to. And hearing about the Kocureks' decision to take the plunge and start their charcuterie business is inspiring to the viewer, just like their first travels in Spain were to them. Remde really sits back and lets Larry and Lee Ann tell the story in their words, and this turns out to be a good choice. Charcuterie got thumbs and big toes up from both Rachel and me. We're looking forward to August's flick (music vid?).

We are huge fans of the Kocurek Family Charcuterie business. We hardly go a week or two without having a simple dinner of sauteed or grilled Kocurek sausage. I hope the Kocureks continue to live the European-inspired lifestyle that they are cooking up for their family wherever they end up down the road. For selfish reasons, I hope that's here in ATX.

Meanwhile, Remde and his project continue to get sunny press. He recently reported with suitable excitement that the project got on Huffington Post. Not to mention some good local items from Austin food blogger extraordinaire Addie Broyles on Austin 360 and Paula Forbes on Eater. Surprisingly, none of these note the Burger King imagery in June film Heist-Off!

Here's July's 12 Films Project feature, Charcuterie.

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