“Welcome to Pan y Circo, thank you for accepting our invitation to have dinner with us, to listen to us, question us, and share the menu,” so says Diego Luna, host of the exciting new series available now on Amazon Prime.

“Pan y Circo” brings us a luxury we all have but forgotten: the ability to sit, talk, and dine with strangers. The series, released in early August, offers up a plate of tough conversations mixed with delectable creations from Mexico’s greatest chefs. One of the first in the series, and my personal favorite, “#NiUnaMás: Gender-based violence,” tackles femicide with a table of activists and experts.

The episode opens with protesters carrying signs, chanting, “they took them alive – we want them back!” as the camera flashes to a statue, graffitied with the female symbol and what looks to be splattered red paint meant to resemble blood. “The women you murdered will never die – they will not die!” protesters scream out, as the screen transitions to a simple kitchen, contradicting the chaotic and emotional scene seen just before.

Chef Alexander Suástegui

Luna appears, alongside Chef Alexander Suástegui, as they prepare the courses while awaiting their guests. He asks Chef Suástegui about femicide and gender violence, and she responds by saying that gender-based violence, especially in the dining industry, is much more than just violent acts. It can be subtle, such as a waitress having her arms grabbed or being hit on by a customer; unable to do anything about it in the fear of being fired or losing tips. With this broader definition in mind, Luna goes on to greet his company.

The attendees are women of different backgrounds – all experts in the field of feminism. They’re asked to deposit their phones in a container. “Having phones changes the tone of the conversation,” he adds. Each guest introduces herself, and Luna takes the back seat in the conversation, allowing them to make their remarks and lead the discussion.

They begin by raising a toast, to the women who have been slain through gender-violence. The glasses clink, “Ni una más” all say solemnly. Guests include Marion Reimers Tusche an activist and sports journalist, Candelaria Ochoa Ávalos, a commissioner against gender violence, Dayra Fyah, rapper who teaches self-defense classes to women in one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico, Andrea Medina Rosas, lawyer who works closely with civil organizations, and Dilcya Garcia Espinoza de los Monteros, a district attorney for crimes related to gender violence from Mexico’s State Prosecutor’s office. Perhaps the most moving guest, however, is the mother who lost her daughter to gender violence, activist Araceli Osorio Martínez.

Marion Reimers Tusche

With the table full and introduced, they bring in the first course – a smoked-tomato salad, combined with two purees on the bottom of the plate. It’s meant for the participants to mix together and taste all of the different and exciting flavors – a pure reflection of the guests themselves, and their current situation. While each woman is an activist and feminist, they also carry vastly different views from each other. Some believe the problem is with government and the patriarchy, while others believe that gender-violence is a social problem, and yet others blame culture and media.

Andrea Medina Rosas photographed by Annie Leibovitz

As tension grows, the second course is served. Verbal fights are beginning to break out. Each guest has her own solution to the problem of femicide – which involves her own expertise – leaving some to feel inadequate in their work. Pipián graces their plates this time, savory with a side of heat, just like the conversation. On the brink of an argument between the commissioner and the sports journalist, the mother/activist Osorio Martínez speaks out.

Araceli Osorio Martinez

She tells them that victims should not have to ask for help, they should not have to request an audience. They are the victims, and those who are charged to protect them should be going to them, not the other way around. The victims do not have a voice, simply because they are not asked to give one.

The room falls silent at her remarks. They must come together as one despite their differences, for mothers like Martínez and children like her daughter Lesvy, taken too soon.

Candelaria Ochoa Avalos

The third course is served. It is a tart dessert, Chef Suástegui explains, comparing the bitter yet intriguing flavor to the argument and solutions to femicide. She takes a seat and joins the conversation now that her job is done.

Dayra Fyah

Each participant takes the time to discuss how they can make a difference. The rapper raps a moving song, the lawyer discusses how she plans to form the society she has always dreamed of through laws, and the commissioner swears to protect every woman that she can while in her position.

Dilcya Garcia Espinoza de los Monteros

The guests once again decide to commemorate the dead, but this time instead of with the clinking of glasses they do it with a moment of silence. As the silence grows, the screen switches onto a somber candlelight gathering for the deceased. A solid notion to the idea that we must both shout out for justice as well as take the time to respect those who experienced that same injustice.

Diego Luna hosts Amazon Prime’s “Pan y Circo”

“Pan y Circo” covers hard-hitting topics while pairing it with two of our most basic comforts – the company of others, and food. This Yin and Yang of moving conversation and the presence of like-minded people makes the series an enjoyable watch. It is interesting to observe experts – who essentially agree on the same topic – disagree in such vast forms about the way to solve them. It’s exhilarating to hear the personal stories, and heartbreaking to know the loss and trauma that some have been through.

These words cannot compare to the genius that is “Pan y Circo,” or the relevancy that it has today, especially with all the chaos going on around the world. The series comes to us when we need it most; in the moment where we have enough time  to get educated, and genuinely hear and understand points of view. Here’s hoping for a season two, and to many more dinners with you, “Pan y Circo.”

“Pan y Circo” is an Amazon Prime exclusive talk show. The 7-part series is offered in Spanish with English, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles. 

Click HERE to see the official trailer
For more information visit www.amazon.com/Pan-y-Circo-Season-1/dp/B08DWSTXLJ