As defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, food is “a material composed primarily of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats used in the body of an organism to support the growth, repair and life processes. and to provide energy. However, can't food provide more than just nourishment? For ages, scientists around the world have noticed trends in the way various cultures think about food and integrate it into their daily lives. These patterns tell us more about these cultures, as well as the many ways food affects them. Food influences many aspects of these cultures, such as religion, relationships, sex and finally communication. Communication is a vital part of daily life, and anthropologist EN Anderson describes food as "second only to language as a system of social communication" (Anderson 124). Thai director Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman and Latin American director María Ripoll's Tortilla Soup, a Latin remake of Lee's film, reveal the similarities of two seemingly different cultures and their use of food as a means of communication. Anderson says: “The main message of food everywhere is solidarity. Eating together means sharing and participating” (Anderson 125). In both films, Sunday dinner gives families a break from everyone's busy lives and allows them to enjoy a family meal. For Master Chu as for Martin, this Sunday tradition is a necessary way to bring the family together for at least a little while. However, for girls, it's the "Sunday dinner torture ritual" (Eat Drink Man Woman). Although the girls feel this way, the only visible family connection is the sharing of this exquisite food. Therefore, food is the means by which families can come together. In both films, ...... middle of paper ...... fit together and don't care about harsh judgment. Tortilla Soup and Eat Drink Man Woman showcase cultures from completely opposite regions of the world; However, there are many similarities in how families use food as a means of communication. Food helps these families express feelings they normally wouldn't be able to express without that connection. Although food provides sustenance, it is also a major aspect of many cultures and their daily lives. Works Cited Anderson, EN. Everyone Eats: Understanding Food and Culture. New York: New YorkUniversity Press, 2005. Eat, drink, man, woman. Real. Ang Lee. Ang Lee Productions, 1994. DVD. " Food ". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Encyclopedia Britannica. March 21, 2011.< http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food>.Tortilla soup. Real. Maria Ripoll. Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2001. DVD.