One-off
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Director(s):
JARACH (Andres)
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Producer(s):
ARTE FRANCE, PMP (penelope - morgane productions)
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Territories:
Worldwide.
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Production year:
2006
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Language(s):
German, English, French
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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.