Dir. Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw.
2020 | 84 mins | Italy, Greece, US
Italian with English subtitles

Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men, seventy or eighty years young, hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle—which to date has resisted all of modern science’s efforts at cultivation. They’re guided by a secret culture and training passed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly-trained dogs. They live a simpler, slower way of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture-perfect land, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. They’re untethered to cell phone screens or the Internet, opting instead to make their food and drink by hand and prioritizing in-person connections and community. The demand for white truffles increases year after year, even as the supply decreases. As a result of climate change, deforestation, and the lack of young people taking up the mantle, the truffle hunters’ secrets are more coveted than ever. However, as it soon becomes clear, these ageing men may just hold something much more valuable than even this prized delicacy: the secret to a rich and meaningful life.

The film will be introduced by local, Italian food and culture expert Valentina Todino and food, wine and travel writer Marc Millon who will discuss truffles from foraging to making the perfect dish.

 ABOUT FOOD ON FILM

AUTUMN: The perfect ingredient

In the autumn season we focus on two ingredients – fungi and milk – to see how each has shaped people’s lives and livelihoods. We start in 19th C Oregon with FIRST COW, where a chance meeting with a cow and her milk changes the fate and cooking of one entrepreneurial chef and his companion. We will enjoy a sensory screening experience with a box of baked goods to enjoy alongside the film.

On 25th October we will relocate to the Piedmont region of Italy with the charming documentary THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS, which follows a group of elderly foragers as they seek out and sell the finest truffles with the help of their trusty dogs.

To find out more about Food on Film, tap here >>

VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX, STUDIO 74

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>