UCI Illuminations

Bled Number One is a 2006 French drama film directed by Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.  A young Algerian man is deported from France to his home village Algeria. He meets a married woman who is an aspiring jazz singer. A light dinner and discussion will follow the film screening. Co-Sponsored [...]

Dr. Alachkar will prepare three dishes (Mujaddarah, Kubbeh, and Freekeh with chicken); the three dishes are made from different kinds of wheat, which is an essential ingredient of Syrian daily meals.  Amal will share her thoughts on the impacts of the Syrian war on ingredients of daily Syrian meals, particularly the besieged cities in Syria. As [...]

This evening explores the food, culture, and music of Brazil. RSVP here.

A Touch of Sin (Chinese: 天注定; pinyin: Tiān zhùdìng) is a 2013 Chinese drama film directed by Jia Zhangke (贾樟柯). It was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival,with Jia winning the award for Best Screenplay. Stars of the film include Zhao Tao, Jia's wife and longtime collaborator.  An omnibus film that explores three stories based on real news stories of ordinary Chinese people struggling to [...]

This evening of philosophy explores the intellectual virtues of honesty, humility, and tenacity, all essential to scientific and humanistic inquiry and to student academic success. The meal will feature food from ancient Greece, followed by matcha tea prepared by guests in the Buddhist fashion. Program presented by Professor Duncan Pritchard (Philosophy) and Professor Elizabeth Tinsley [...]

The 2019 Zotfest Film Festival strives to screen the finest films from students at the University of California, Irvine! The festival screens film submissions of all genres including drama, comedy, documentary, animation and music video. Following the screenings, the Festival award ceremony offers accolades such as the Golden Anteater, Best Screenplay, Best Technical Achievement, Best Performance, [...]

Tacos have crossed cultures and sparked new conversations among chefs, taco lovers, and the communities where they live and work. We will taste and compare tacos and learn more about foodways, food writing, and food studies from taco historian, food writer and provocateur Gustavo Arellano. Gustavo Arellano is author of Taco USA: How Mexican Food [...]