One-hour documentary showcases stories of food, family, and traditions that define Maryland.
Annapolis, MD- The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area today joined residents and community leaders from across Maryland to host the director’s debut of “Grandma’s Hands,” a unique one-hour documentary that brings Maryland’s rich history and culture to life through the lens of food and family recipes.
Filmed and produced in Southern Maryland, the documentary takes viewers into the kitchens of six families as they share the treasured dishes that have been passed on through generations. In the process, viewers learn about the history of the region, its agricultural and food heritage, and the diverse culinary traditions that transcend time. As the families share their treasured dishes, they speak of life and love, joy and struggle, and the ways in which our pasts shape our present.
“We continue to seek different ways to highlight the region and our rich heritage, and this film is a special opportunity to do just that,” said Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Executive Director Lucille Walker. “This film brings the power of our personal histories together that tell the story of a family, a region, and a culture.”
While the participants in the Grandma’s Hands stories are different, they all share this vital tenet: that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and that food helps bind families and communities together across time and place.
“Inside each of us there is a quiet place where our thoughts and our memories mingle with aromas and taste and define for us a place of belonging…a place of comfort…a place of love…a place where we are from. Lives change, but the food, the food will always be with us,” said “Grandma’s Hands” Writer and Director Craig Sewell.
Grandma’s Hands received support from the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, the Rural Maryland Council, the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, and the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. Cinematography for the film was done by Lena McBean.
Photos from the event will be available tomorrow, March 20, at 10 a.m. upon request.
