A fabulous documentary about what must be the most grueling pastry competition in the world, the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France. To the victors, the right to wear the tricolor collar of the master craftsman. What this means is left largely to the imagination, but the cost of the pursuit implies a substantial practical reward over and above fame and glory. To those who miss the cut, despair, misery and the lure of trying again in three years.
It's a well made documentary on a fascinating subculture, which is enough to get me on board, but more than that illuminates something fundamental about the national character of France. The competition is a huge event not only for the obsessed participants, but the rest of the country- the President delivers an address to a standing room only crowd at the kickoff gala in the manner of a US President throwing out the first ball at the World Series.
Check it out if you like docs, or if you like food. It's an involving two hour journey into a world doubly foreign to most Americans.
2 comments:
That was a stressful watch. It made me so stressed I wanted to eat some cake but I didn't have any.
we both screamed and hid our faces in our hands.....and you know what scene I'm talkin' bout.
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