I’ve been desperate to see this documentary film – The Truffle Hunters – since I first heard of it early last year with its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2020. It has won awards and has been highly praised by critics. Release has been held up but now I’m hearing that it is in UK cinemas from 9th July, though other than screenings for members, I’ve not seen a cinema near me that has it on its programme 🙁 – I’ll travel!
Update – found details of screening – see bottom of post.
The Truffle Hunters follows a handful of men, seventy to eighty years young, in Piedmont, Italy, on the search for the elusive Alba truffle. They’re guided by a secret culture passed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly trained dogs. The documentary subtly explores the devastating effects of climate change and deforestation on an age-old tradition through a visually stunning narrative that celebrates life and exalts the human spirit.
Recent Reviews
The Truffle Hunters — I sniff the movie gem of the year – The Times Subscription required to read)
As I mentioned in our February newsletter, I listened to Tasmanian radio station’s interview with one of the directors. As well as hearing about the film and the real-life “stars”, it was touching to hear that money from the film is going back into the community where this lifestyle could die out. A trust is purchasing land and has started an education programme to try to inspire the next generation of truffle hunters.
If you want to experience truffle hunting yourself, while not travelling abroad, we offer truffle hunting days in Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
Screenings
A subset of Picture House cinemas showing it between Friday 9 and Thursday 22 July 2021 (they may extend):
- Bromley, London
- Crouch End, London
- Fulham Road, London
- Greenwich, London
- Hackney, London
- Picturehouse Central London
- Ritzy, London
- Stratford, London
- The Gate, London
- West Norwood, London
- Arts, Cambridge
- Cinema City, Norwich
- City Screen, York
- Duke Of York’s, Brighton
- Fact, Liverpool
- Harbour Lights, Southampton
- Little Theatre Cinema, Bath
- Phoenix, Oxford
plus Curzon Bloomsbury (London) between the same dates.
12/07 – plus now it looks like some independent cinemas are showing it in the above week and later.
Home release 17 August
Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced home release dates for The Truffle Hunters, which will become available on digital, Blu-ray Disc and DVD on 17 August. The three home editions each include a featurette, “The Story of The Truffle Hunters,” in which filmmakers Dweck and Kershaw talk about how they entered the storybook world of truffle hunting and embraced the eclectic personalities behind the culinary quests.
An extract from “The Story of The Truffle Hunters”: