Jaén’s culinary revolution, the focus of a new session of Cinema Cocina at the Festival de Málaga
'Decía que aquí no había ná', by Jorge Fernández Mayora, focuses on the gastronomic and social transformation of the province
This Thursday, the Festival de Málaga hosted the final session of its Official Cinema Cocina Section with a feature film highlighting gastronomy's ability to transform perceptions of a region, in this case, the province of Jaén. During the screening, attendees enjoyed Papatán white vermouth with crushed Gordal olives from Jaén, Jaén olives, capers, and El Hornillo potato chips.
Considered by the film's team to be the most overlooked province in Andalusia, Jaén has experienced a resurgence in recent years, driven by the five Michelin stars it earned in just seven years. From this premise comes Jorge Fernández Mayoral's Decía que aquí no había ná, (He Said There Was Nothing Here), which highlights the gastronomic sector as an engine of evolution and change.
The documentary is based on the slogan that chef Juan Carlos García wore on his T-shirt at the Michelin Gala 2024 and which gives the film its title. From there, the film recounts the journey of the five Michelin-starred chefs from Jaén in a work that blends history, texts by Antonio Muñoz Molina, and dance by Marcat Dance.
The discussion following the film included Jorge Fernández Mayoral, director; Pedrito Sánchez Jaén, chef of Restaurante Bagá; Juan Aceituno, chef of Restaurante Dama Juana; Javier Jurado, chef of Restaurante Malak; Juanjo Mesa, chef of Restaurante Radis; and Juan Carlos García, chef of Restaurante Vandelvira.
During the event, attendees enjoyed a tasting featuring morcilla (black pudding) from Lasinfantas, Catalan sausage from Hermanos Gómez, cheeses and pastries from Valleoscuro, and Pegote red wine from Vega Torralba.
Cinema Cocina will conclude its programme this Friday with a screening of the feature film Uno de los nuestros. Legado Joan Roca, directed by Jorge Fernández Mayoral and Virginia Jönas Urigüen, which will be shown out of competition.
Share
