THE AUTOMAT – Lisa Hurwitz, Ron Barrett & Paul Hardart

In today’s episode, we bring you a conversation from the opening night, February 18, of Lisa Hurwitz’s hit new film THE AUTOMAT. The documentary explores the history and legacy of the beloved 20th-century culinary institution, Horn & Hardart, aka The Automat, with a charming mix of nostalgic archival footage, and interviews with devotees including Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell, along with former Automat employees and their families. We were joined for this event by filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz and two of the film’s subjects – longtime Horn & Hardart art director Ron Barett; and Paul Hardart, great grandson of the company’s founder, who also served as moderator. THE AUTOMAT is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets and enjoy the discussion. Special thanks to Lisa Hurwitz, Paul Hardart, and Ron Barrett for making this event possible. Pictured: Paul Hardart & Lisa Hurwitz. Photo by Dora Nano.