Seminci devotes Cine Gourmet to films linked by the common

This section – which continues in the same vein as Film, Wine & Gastronomy – will screen 3 full-length films, 2 of which are fiction, and a short documentary film

For the 8th year running, the Valladolid International Film Festival consolidates its commitment to the food and wine industries through its Cine Gourmet section, organised in collaboration with Valladolid City Council, Valladolid Provincial Government, the regulatory board of the Ribera del Duero denomination of origin, Tierra de Sabor and El Norte de Castilla newspaper. Cine Gourmet – the new name for Film, Wine & Gastronomy – will screen 3 full-length films and 1 short film, linked by the common thread of gastronomy.

The selected titles are La cena perfetta (The Perfect Dinner, Italy, 2022), by Davide Minnella: a full-length fiction film following Carmine, a kind-hearted Camorra mafioso, who launders dirty money through the restaurant he runs, and where Consuelo – a chef seeking out perfection – works. Their love of food and dream of winning a Michelin star will give both characters a second chance and an opportunity for redemption.

Ljubomir Stanišić: Heartbeat (Ljubomir Stanišić – Coração na boca, Portugal, 2021), by Mónica Franco, is a documentary portraying the different facets of Ljubomir Stanišić: an emigrant who escaped a recent war. Cookery became his ‘American dream’ and brought him success, but he has also had to face his worst nightmares. We delve into the world of his food, but also into his unstoppable mind and the life of a passionate adventurer.

Umami (France/Japan, 2022), by Slony Sow, is a full-length fiction film centred around the character Gabriel Carvin: a renowned chef from Saumur (France) who is awarded his third glass star by a food critic. That same night, his wife leaves him and the emotional strain directly impacts his heart. He has a heart attack, meaning that this hyperactive chef has to stay away from the kitchen. He travels to Japan for a change of scene, where he rediscovers the simple pleasures of friendship and attempts to unveil the mysteries of umami: the fifth taste.

The Cine Gourmet section is rounded off by the short documentary film María José San Román. La esencia sostenible (Spain, 2021): a portrayal of María José San Román by the directors Vicente Seva and Manuel Sánchez. This chef, who is constantly learning and combines innovation with Mediterranean traditions in her recipes, consistently seeks out efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions, sensory contrasts and harmony. Born in Alicante, she is an entrepreneur, teacher, champion of olive oil around the world and the founder of the “Mujeres en Gastronomía” association. She is also a leading researcher and promotor of sustainability as the driving force behind gastronomy.