Opening next Wednesday, September 15: KINGS OF PASTRY
The latest film from the legendary documentary duo Chris Hegedus & DA Pennebaker screened at Sheffield Doc/Fest, IDFA, and Berlin, among other notable fests, documentary specific and otherwise.
With the tag line “16 chefs. 3 days. 1 chance.” KINGS OF PASTRY goes behind-the-scenes of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France competition, arguably the most prestigious pastry competition in the world, held every four years – a sort of Olympics for pastry chefs established in 1924. Never before filmed, the competition (literally “Best Craftsmen of France”) takes place over three days after years of training and preparation. Hegedus and Pennebaker, craftspersons themselves, follow three of the competitors and the delectable creations they concoct for the challenge. Even though audiences may have gotten used to food competition shows like TOP CHEF or FOOD NETWORK CHALLENGE, there’s a palpable sense imparted by the filmmakers of what’s at stake for these chefs, elevating KINGS OF PASTRY from simple entertainment.
The New York Times recently featured the film here.
what (not) to doc 