Day 6 @ MSPIFF 2015: 'Finding Gastón' Reviewed
Saying a documentary about a world-renowned chef could make your mouth water isn't all that impressive. But if a film about a cook could make you a fan of a country, a people, or a cuisine, that's something more powerful. Julia Patricia Perez's Finding Gaston introduces the audience to one of Peru's greatest cultural ambassadors, 47-year-old Gastón Acurio. The chef, author and restaurateur is a bastion for every pepper, sauce and recipe native to his homeland, and the movie follows him as he goes to incredible lengths to guide the small Latin American nation on its path to culinary glory.
And as much as Perez's movie is about Acurio, it's also about Peru. The film would have you think that the two stories are deeply intertwined. At the beginning of the documentary, critics and intellectuals riff on how Acurio's work in the food world has literally put Peru back on the map in a positive way. The nation's cuisine, they say, not only embodies the diversity of influences that make up Peruvian culture, the food is also something Peruvians take great pride in, especially as some of the world's finest restaurants are now within its borders. Acurio, of course, owns one of these restaurants (as well as several others across the world), but he is active in Peru on a grassroots level, fostering the next generation of the country's cooks, fishermen and farm workers.
Overstating Acurio's celebrity status in Peru seems nearly impossible. School children recognize him, and mothers dream of having him taste their recipes. The son of a well-known politician, Acurio is deeply aware of his public image, and appears to work almost tirelessly to meet everyone's expectations. In a wonderful, human touch, Perez follows various, everyday Peruvians -- quinoa farmers, fishermen and school children -- as they all meet the man exporting their cuisine to the world. Watching Acurio embrace and laugh with all of them is heartwarming, but what's more impressive is that he puts money and time into helping his country grow just as its culinary status rises.
For the fishermen, who work out of little boats, casting lines like the protagonist of "The Old Man and the Sea," Acurio puts together a network so they can sell directly to restaurants. For school children, he oversees the building of gardens and special school kitchens, where the kids can learn the recipes of their homeland and eat healthy meals. The list of Acurio's efforts and accomplishments is long, but his dream has yet to be realized. What he's looking for is something massive: for the flavors of Peru be found in "every refrigerator in the world," like ketchup. That Perez is working with him in this effort is obvious. After watching the documentary, one can't help but pop open Yelp and type in "Peruvian." Tragically, it looks like the Twin Cities is still waiting for a taste of Peru.
Finding Gaston is playing at 5:20.
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Other Highlights For Tuesday, April 14
The Dark Horse (James Napier Robertson, New Zealand) This is a your classic mentor story, but with a rougher edge. Genesis Potini, a real-life New Zealand legend, suffered from bipolar disorder, yet he was able to impact the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged kids with his skill in the game of chess. Cliff Curtis plays him superbly. (2:45)
Iris (Albert Maysles, USA) One of the filmmakers behind the legendary fly-on-the wall documentary Grey Gardens takes his lens to the life of fashion icon Iris Apfel. The 94-year-old designer and collector appears as busy and vibrant as ever. The documentary gets a glimpse inside her incredible home and a look at her relationship with her 100-year-old hubby, Carl. Quick-witted and charismatic, Iris isn't a diva as much as a sage. A piece of the rare bird's wisdom: It's better to be interesting than pretty. (5:15)
The Connection (Cédric Jimenez, France) Jean Dujardin, of The Artist, plays a magistrate in the true story of one man's quest to pick apart the most notorious drug smuggling operation in history. The film has the same attention to historic detail as a Hollywood hit like American Hustle. (7:10)
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For the festival schedule, and a complete listing of all the movies being shown, click here. Ticket information is available here.
Throughout the entirety of the 2015 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival, WCCO.com will be spotlighting one notable movie each day, along with other notable screenings. To see WCCO.com's complete coverage on the MSPIFF, click here.