The Portuguese and Lusophone-World Lecture Series: Malassada Day

Name: The Portuguese and Lusophone-World Lecture Series: Malassada Day
Start: 2025-03-20T18:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-03-20T21:00:00-04:00
Location: 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02740

Schedule

Thu Mar 20 2025 at 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, United States, Massachusetts 02740 | New Bedford, MA

Join us for a special screening of Malassada Day followed by a panel discussion with Director Dante Bellini and special guests Maria Lawton and Michael Benevides.
Part of the Portuguese Lusophone-World Lecture Series, this program highlights the rich cultural traditions of Portuguese-American communities through the lens of one beloved culinary tradition: the malassada.
Program Overview:
Film Screening: Malassada Day – A heartwarming documentary exploring the significance of malassadas, faith, family, and community.
Panel Discussion: A lively conversation featuring:
Dante Bellini, Jr. – Award-winning director and documentary filmmaker.
Maria Lawton – Author, culinary expert, and host of Maria’s Portuguese Table.
Michael Benevides – Cultural advocate and Vice President of Portugalia Marketplace.
Audience Q&A: Engage with our panelists in an interactive discussion.
Admission:
Tickets for in-person program are $5 for Museum Members or $10 for General Public (seating is limited; purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended).
Free registration for virtual program available via Zoom webinar.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to celebrate Portuguese culture and traditions while reflecting on the importance of preserving heritage in today’s world.
Register now to reserve your spot!
FILM OVERVIEW
Sometimes, simple fried dough isn't really fried dough - especially if it's a malassada.
Malassada Day is an intimate portrait of Portuguese culture and a behind-the-scenes peek into the passionate people's painstaking preparation of the deep-fried dough confection, filhós, or more commonly known as the malassada. Malassada Day began with director Bellini’s fascination with the actual process of cooking Portuguese fried dough.
The project quickly transformed into a deeper, more meaningful story. It was obvious that the Portuguese and wider community craved the authentic malassada recipe made by old world hands. But it was also apparent that these light and airy pillows of dough also symbolized important values of Portuguese culture: faith, family, and community. Not unlike many other cultures. However, a major threat was also revealed: would the older age of the women and lack of interest in learning the tradition by the younger generation imperil the future of malassadas?
Malassada Day explores these issues with honesty and warmth in this fun little film.
DIRECTOR'S BIO
Dante Bellini, Jr. is a former principal of the RDW Group Agency with offices Boston and Providence.
He has been the creative and production force behind hundreds of projects and is a multiple Emmy, Telly and Hatch award winner for his work. Retired from agency life, Dante has put all his effort into documentary filmmaking – catalyzed by his decade’s long association with Ken Burns. As such, and not without a bit of irony, his first solo feature, Ken Burns - Here & There, is an intimate look at the life of the iconic filmmaker, sold to PBS and broadcast worldwide. Demons & Dragans is his third film.
Dante is currently finishing a memoir-based film titled Lillian and has five independent films in in development including feature docs on Newton Minow, South Korea’s School for Defectors and on the loss of Benny’s stores.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
Malassada Day tells a universal story about the importance of holding on to our culture and rituals, whatever they may be from wherever we came from, in an ever-changing society. This film focuses on the story behind Portuguese fried dough. But I could have made it about Greek, Italian, Armenian or African food culture and the essential story wouldn’t change much. What’s clear is that as time marches on we often idealize the nostalgic. This is an unexpected and heartfelt film that will make you think about your grandmother and maybe even your own kids – about the traditions we keep and those we lose.