Palombara Sabina was a crumbling medieval town outside Rome, its stone streets emptied out as younger generations moved away. But in one kitchen, a Nonna and her granddaughter began inviting travelers
inside to learn an eight-generation pasta recipe—a simple act that pulled people back
into the village and filled it with life again.

In this short film, I follow them as they roll, cut, and cook pasta for strangers from around the world. What does it mean to keep a place alive through a single dish, and how can a recipe become a bridge between past and future?

Credits

Director: Michael Smith
Producer: Alyson Pullman
DP: Chris Calnin
Editor: Matt O’Donnell