United States 2023, 240 min, French, Hebrew & English subtitles
For 93 years, La Maison Troisgros, a venerated restaurant in central France, has been reinventing and refining a language that sanctifies its wealth of ingredients, gastronomic vision, and environmental sustainability. In his new film, master of observation Frederick Wiseman meticulously dissects a day at this culinary institution, one of three run by a family: from the morning’s excursion to the market to select mushrooms and herbs, to a lively discussion between the patriarch, Chef Michel, and his sons, César and Léo, about the ingredients and textures of today’s dishes; and on to the ritual of preparing, cooking, tasting, and serving the food, and its culmination upon meeting the diners’ eyes and palates. The film’s rich menu also includes a visit to the local cheesemaker, a wine-tasting exercise, and a celebration of the plants in the nearby field. The end result is a veritable documentary feast, an experience both appetizing and satisfying.
Previous Festivals: Hot Docs, IDFA, TIFF, Venice, New York Film Festival, AFIFest
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