Episode 904: Diana Kennedy–Nothing Fancy / Agave–The Spirit of a Nation

Fog of Truth

This week, we briefly step away from our problems at home (while never forgetting or minimizing them) to celebrate the culinary traditions of our neighbors to the south. Guest host Sandie Angulo Chen (of Common Sense Media) joins us as we review Elizabeth Carroll’s Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy, which profiles the titular nonagenarian, British-born specialist of Mexican cuisine. Then, Chris interviews director Nick Kovacic about his 2018 documentary Agave: The Spirit of a Nation, which brings the viewer on a journey to Jalisco, Oaxaca, and other locations in Mexico to explore agave’s place in the economy and culture. Eat and drink your fill!

Group Review Documentary:

DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY (Elizabeth Carroll, 2019)

Available now on VOD from Greenwich Entertainment.

Film Featured in Interview Portion:

AGAVE: THE SPIRIT OF A NATION (Nick Kovacic/Matthew Riggieri, 2018)

Available on VOD on Amazon or on SVOD from Kanopy.

Other Films/Series Mentioned:

• The Biggest Little Farm (John Chester, 2018)
• Brewmore Baltimore (Nick Kovacic, 2015)
• (Nick Kovacic, 2016)
• Homecoming: The Journey of Cardboard (Anna Thorson Mayer/Yuko Shiomaki, 2020)
• Ingrid (Morrisa Maltz, 2018)
• King Corn (Aaron Woolf, 2017)
• The Last Dance (Jason Hehir, 2020) (10-part ESPN series)
• 20 Feet from Stardom (Morgan Neville, 2013)
• Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (Morgan Neville, 2018)

Links to reviews by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:

• Hammer to Nail review of Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy
• Hammer to Nail review of Agave: Spirit of a Nation

Timestamps:

• 00:42 – Intro
• 04:37 – Group Discussion of DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY
• 19:51 – Chris interviews Nick Kovacic of AGAVE: SPIRIT OF A NATION
• ­­36:03 – Doc Talk

Website/Email:

www.fogoftruth.com

[e-mail]

Credits:

Artwork by Hilary Campbell

Intro music by Jeremiah Moore

Transitional music by BELLS (thanks to Christopher Ernst)

Editing and shownotes by Christopher Llewellyn Reed