Film Maker Q&A: "A Fine Line" Screening Oct. 7th Explores Women In The Restaurant Industry

On October 7th at 6pm, Ridgefield resident, Joanna James will showcase both her film, "A Fine Line", and the culinary flair of the female chefs represented within, at Keeler Tavern Museum's Garden House. Reception begins at 6pm in the Garden with the film screening to follow at 7pm. Buy tickets here. Guest speakers include: Chefs Silvia Baldini, Jes Bengston of Terrain & Amis Trattoria, Barbara Nevins of Southwest Cafe & Sarah Bouissou of Sarah’s Wine Bar.

The feature length documentary, A Fine Line, explores why less than 7 percent of head chefs/restaurant owners are women, when traditionally women have influenced the greatest male chefs in the kitchen. Experiences from world-renowned women chefs are woven into a central narrative of a single mother, small-town restaurateur who beat the odds stacked against her. This personal story opens up a national dialogue on gender inequality, motherhood and career balance and how this inequity in the kitchen is representative of industries across the board.

We had the opportunity to speak with filmmaker, Joanna James, to explore her inspiration for this project.

What inspired you to make A Fine Line?

“A Fine Line is very personal for me because I was raised in the restaurant industry by my mother's side. I saw a woman do what she loved and she was so good at it, yet for some reason always facing hardships that seemed outside her control, whether that be from family, finances or trying to advance in her career. When I initially set off to make this film I thought it would be my mother's story, and in large part it is, but after doing the research I was shocked to learn that only 7 percent of head chefs and restaurant owners were women. So her story of sacrifice and trying to beat the odds was really representative of what many women across all industries face, and I was so fortunate to get to hear from world renowned chefs who shared their experiences working their way up to such great heights.”

What do you hope viewers will take away from this movie?

“The main thing I hope viewers will take from this film is if you care about gender equality, and especially if you're a man because you've got a daughter, mother, sister or wife -- then let's all get fed up with the status quo and think about what we can individually do to make a difference. What can you do to ensure that all girls have equal opportunity to make their dreams come true and live to their full potential, because the truth is that this huge gender leadership gap exists across all industries. Especially today in this post COVID world it should be ever more clear to see how important it is to have support structures in place not only for women but working parents in general -- things like paid family leave, affordable and accessible childcare and on the homefront spouses who will equally take on household responsibilities.”

What was the most challenging part of making A Fine Line?

“The most challenging part of making A Fine Line was not only that this was my first film so I had to prove myself at every corner in order to get ahead, but I was also a woman doing it, so access to capital and important introductions to get this film out there were in large part denied to me. But I was so committed to making this film and there was never a doubt in my mind that I was going to stop until it was completed and I could share it with the women who this film was made for, that nothing was going to stop me.”

What did you learn while making this movie?

“I learned so many valuable lessons while making this documentary, but something that has made a large impression on me which I learned from both the incredible women I was interviewing and filming to myself becoming a mother when I first started making this film, is that you have to integrate your children and motherhood into your career -- they don't have to be separate in order to try and get ahead. There were times I had to have my 6-month old with me while I filmed or else how was she going to get breastfed; or take my two little ones with me and my husband on the film festival circuit. Luckily for me I have the most supportive life partner who believed in me unrelentlessly and would put in the work and time on the homefront so I could push myself to keep going and not give up on this. That's why this film is for all the single moms out there who in my eyes are the greatest heros.”