Deep in the forests of Italy’s Piedmont region, a handful of men — all 70 or 80 years young — hunt for the rare and expensive white Alba truffle, which to date has resisted all of modern science’s efforts at cultivation. They’re guided by a secret culture and training passed down through generations, as well as by the noses of their cherished and expertly-trained dogs.
The demand for white truffles increases year after year, even as the supply decreases. As a result of climate change, deforestation and the lack of young people taking up the mantle, the truffle hunters’ secrets are more coveted than ever. As it soon becomes clear, however, these ageing men may just hold something much more valuable than even this prized delicacy: the secret to a rich and meaningful life.
“A scrumptious, melancholic cinematic journey into the storied world of truffle hunters in Northern Italy that serenades the eyes and appeals to sophisticated taste buds.” —Tomris Laffly, Variety “This endearing, thoroughly entertaining movie might be what we all need right now: An invitation to stop and smell the roses — or, if you’re lucky, their far less showy fungal cousins.” —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post “The cast of characters, the majority of them solitary types, is like something out of an absurdist comedy, and the lack of self-consciousness with which they reveal themselves indicates the complete trust established by the filmmakers.” —David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter “A charming and slyly poignant documentary.... How did this subterranean fungus, the best specimens of which look like woebegone potatoes, come to be among the most prized and pricey of delicacies?” —A.O. Scott, New York Times (Critic’s Pick)
