Florent

NYC FOODFILM FESTIVAL

PREMIERES “FLORENT… QUEEN OF THE MEAT PACKING”

By Babbie De Derian

The documentary: “Florent … Queen of the Meat Market” premiered as a highlight of the week long 4th Annual NYC Food/Film Festival. The evening, a benefit for the Food Bank of New York and the James Beard Foundation, was held at the Altman Building on West 18th Street in the heart of Chelsea. The film, which won the festival’s “best feature film” and “best film made in New York” awards for 2010.spans 23 years in the life of Florent Morellet, a Frenchman who had the vision to open FLORENT, a French style Diner on Gansevoort Street in the Meat Packing District before it was fashionable … way back when hookers worked the streets at night and butchers cut carcasses in the early hours of the morning, Florent, always the showman and ring master, often turned his restaurant, and the sidewalks of Gansevoort Street into a kaleidoscope of unexpected outrageous happenings, but always for a cause that needed supporting.

Filmmaker/producer David Sigal poignantly captures a slice of New York’s history and how the city changed because of a little diner; … exposing Florent’s emotions on the big screen along with the loyalty of his employees, devoted friends, famous- and not- so- famous customers and entourage of talented drag queens The movie follows his impact on the neighborhood and profound influence on the Gay Movement. Film clips taken over the years were spliced into recent commentaries from some of the people who were part of his often vulnerable journey, including Diane Von Furstenberg who also played a vital role in the revitalization of this historic district.

His good friend Jo Hamilton had tears in her eyes as she and Florent came together in front of the camera to talk about the challenges of working with the Community Zoning Board, the joys of their endearing friendship, and the heartbreak when Florent was diagnosed HIV positive, and then went public with the news against his mother’s advice.

I have known Florent for many years; he has come to my apartment to break bread, but It is his raw honesty on the screen and the loyalty of those who worked for him and remain his family, that leaves me wishing I had been a more frequent customer.

The evening began with a VIP Reception for those who had purchased a $125 ticket; then at 8:30, a second wave of food and film fans arrived, increasing the flow of food, fun and pre film festivities. Favorite items from Florent’s menu were recreated and passed on paper plates, such as: mini burgers, French fries, blood sausage and goat cheese potato salad,

A huge screen and rows of chairs turned the first floor into a mini theatre for the 9:30 screening. After the showing, Florent, film maker David Sigal, festival Director George Motz and Master of Ceremonies Murray Hill, took turns expressing a few words of thanks.

The momentum of a fabulous fun evening continued with an after party, and the passing of more foods that had been served at the restaurant.

And then, once again, the unexpected; Drag King Murray Hill, took the mike as MC as a parade of strippers, who had performed at Florent; pranced up and down the runway, shedding their pastes

This award winning film has a bitter sweet ending as does the reign of Florent as the Queen of the Meat Packing District. Opening the restaurant 23 years ago was a calculated gamble, one that over the years not only turned Florent Morellet’s restaurant into an unofficial New York landmark, but it also had an enormous influence on the reshaping of the city. Closing the restaurant in 2008 was an agonizing decision forced upon him by yet another greedy landlord.

Florent is an amazing man, an icon off, and now on, the silver screen. Needless to say, there has been a bit of a void in how he spends his time. I doubt there will be a Florent II, but he is moving on with his life, challenged by new projects and passions he continues to embrace. One of the sequences in the film shows him as a map maker and artist; a talent inherited from his highly acclaimed artist father. I suspect there will be many one man shows in his future.

I asked David Sigal, a graduate of NYU’s Film School, why he chose Florent as the inspiration for his first feature length film, and he replied: “I was a regular customer, I thought Florent was the closest thing to Andy Warhol’s factory because you would have artists mingling with celebrities … mingling with socialites … and mingling with all sorts of eccentrics, in addition to everyday New Yorkers,”

It was an endearing and inspiring evening.

Congratulations to George Motz, Director of the NYC Food Film Festival, to David Sigal, Producer and Director . . . and most of all to Florent for turning his dreams into realities.

The film is starting a festival circuit; it heads to LA this week for OUTFEST, and yes they are seeking distribution.

Perhaps, I will petition the city to rename Gansevoort Street. “Florent Lane”.

For more info on the film and David Sigal: