The documentary “Mugaritz. Sin pan ni postre” from Paco Plaza opens the Culinary Zinema section at San Sebastian Festival’s 72nd edition. In the documentary, the spectator will become the exceptional witness of the reinvention process taking place at Mugaritz, the restaurant run by Andoni Luis Aduriz, one of the most creative and influential chefs in the international scene.
Along with opening film, four movies in total will compete for the Culinary Zinema Award in the Culinary Zinema section, which comes with themed dinners connected to the screenings.
In Grand Maison Paris, Ayuko Tsukahara tells the tale of a Japanese chef, lover of French cuisine, who opens a restaurant in the City of Light and suffers to land his third Michelin star.
Tetsuya Uesugi makes his feature debut with Northern Food Story (Kita no syokukei), following the everyday life of four chefs who work to produce northern Japan’s rich gastronomic culture, particularly from the island of Hokkaido and its community.
The Tribeca Festival documentary Shelf Life from Ian Cheney starts from an unusual premise: might spending time among people who age cheese yield insights about what it’s like for us humans to grow old?
Closing the section out of competition is Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s The Platform 2 (El hoyo 2) starring Milena Smit and Hovik Keuchkerian. In this sequel, as a mysterious leader gradually imposes his law in The Platform, a new female inmate takes up arms in the battle against this controversial method of waging war against the brutal food system.
Culinary Zinema 2024 Program
Mugaritz. Sin pan ni postre
Paco Plaza (Spain)
Country(ies) of production: Spain
Opening Film
The team at the Mugaritz works behind closed doors to design a gastronomic proposal with no place for the “big hits” of the past. Every season is an unexpected leap into the void. A path full of questions which, with any luck, are answered as the restaurant opens each season with the aim of testing the curious diners who pick up the gauntlet and accept the challenge.
The Platform 2 (El hoyo 2)
Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia (Spain)
Country(ies) of production: Spain
Cast: Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian
Closing film out of competition
As a mysterious leader imposes his law in The Platform a new female inmate takes up arms in the battle against this controversial method of waging war against the brutal food system. But when eating from the wrong plate turns into a death sentence, just how far will you be willing to go to save your life?
Northern Food Story (Kita no syokukei)
Tetsuya Uesugi (Japan)
Country(ies) of production: Japan
Traditional Japanese cuisine, French cuisine and sushi. Through the beautiful seasons of Hokkaido, we follow the daily lives of four chefs who pursue their culinary arts, alongside the farmers, citizens and culture of Northern Japan.
Shelf Life
Ian Cheney (USA)
Country(ies) of production: USA
Shelf Life launches with an unusual premise: might spending time among people who age cheese yield insights about what it’s like for us humans to grow old? A peripatetic journey to farflung, unexpected locations – ranging from Japan to Tblisi – provides an immersive culinary and temporal experience, interspersed with odd visual meditations meant to spark new questions and curiosities.
Grand Maison Paris
Ayuko Tsukahara (Japan)
Country(ies) of production: Japan – UK
Cast: Takuya Kimura, Ok Taecyeon , Kyōka Suzuki
Famous Japanese chef Obana opens a new restaurant in Paris in the quest for his elusive third Michelin star. But Obana finds life as an outsider in Paris difficult, and even has trouble sourcing ingredients. His ambition causes tension with his team, including pâtissier Yuan, and sous chef Rinko. When his menu for a gala proves a disaster, Obana promises his former mentor that if he doesn’t get three stars, he will leave Paris. Can he pull it off?