02 February 2022
Italy/Greece/USA
2020
Directors: Michael Dweck, Gregory Kershaw
Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle which, to date, has resisted modern science’s efforts at cultivation. They are 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 simple, slow way of life in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture-perfect land, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. Unbothered by mobile phones or the Internet, their priorities lie with their families and the 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.
Sundance Film Festival 2020 Nominee Grand Jury Prize World Cinema