english

/ For a basket of truffles

Film info

The precious and mysterious truffle has become the symbol of French haute cuisine, conquering the best restaurants in the world. The Périgord - a region in
the South West of France – developed in the 19th and 20th centuries thanks to trade in the “black diamond”. But this fragile tuber and rustic product is also adapting to modern civilisation.
On today’s markets, the merchants and pork butchers have given way to tourists and journalists, who come to discover the “black diamond” asif they were visiting a monument. Although the truffle is disappearing, its market is becoming globalised, its origins are diversifying and the old truffle cultivators are transforming themselves into tableaux vivants in the interests of international commerce. By collecting the accounts of key “truffle people”, and comparing these to the viewpoint of marketing professionals, the film shows how the image of the truffle is, little by little, taking
over from the actual product. But who says that the truffle must be eaten, when its fragrance alone is enough to make the world dream?

/ Credits:
Direction: Sylvestre Meinzer
Image: Isabelle Razavet
Sound: Olivier Schwob
Editing: Marc Daquin

/ Duration: 52 mn

/ Format: 16/9

/ Year of production: 2010/2011

/ Color: color

/ Original language: French

/ Broadcast: Arte France

/ Financing & Coproduction: