• Director(s):

    JARACH (Andres)

  • Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, PMP (penelope - morgane productions)

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2006

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET

What if after all Parmesan were the secret behind the Italians' chirpiness, like a magic potion whose recipe only they knew?

In Italy, Parmesan is more or less everywhere acclaimed as the king of cheeses: it isn't produced, it's made ("Non si fabbrica. Si fa."). It's said to be seven centuries old, and to be branded with fire as a sign of quality, rather like the cows that produce it.
Filled with Italian humour and vitality, this documentary manages to avoid making a facile caricature. To the tune of an advertising jingle, or to the strains of an opera by Giuseppe Verdi, himself a "cheese-making musician", Parmesan is presented by the characters that take part in producing it, maturing it and even tasting it.
From master cheese-maker to bank manager, from farmer to cook, by way of taster or Sikh assistant cheese-maker, everyone in their own way, sometimes in unwarranted intellectual speeches, shares their love for this exquisite, light, and even, allegedly, aphrodisiac cheese.