Film Forum is pleased to present the U.S. theatrical premiere of KINGS OF PASTRY, by legendary documentary filmmaking team, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus (DONT LOOK BACK, MONTEREY POP, THE WAR ROOM), opening September 15. Sixteen contenders seek the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France ("MOF"), France's highest honor in the sublime art of patisserie, employing vast amounts of sugar, butter and eggs - not to mention adrenaline - to create gorgeous, fantastical, delicious creations. Some of the
world's most accomplished chefs gather in Lyon for three intense days of mixing, piping and sculpting everything from delicate chocolates and elaborate cream puffs to six-foot-high sugar sculptures. D. A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus secured exclusive access to shoot this never-before-filmed event. They follow chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, co-founder of Chicago's French Pastry School, as he journeys to his childhood home of Alsace to practice for the contest. During the competition itself, chefs work under constant scrutiny by master judges and their critical palates. These pastry marathoners race to deliver their creations (including extraordinarily fragile sugar sculptures) without shattering them. It's a suspenseful quest for artistic perfection - brimming with passion, sacrifice, disappointment, and joy - to become one of the KINGS OF PASTRY. -- (C) Film Forum
What makes Kings of Pastry more than a sugar-coated showcase of culinary porn is its emphasis on the individual human dramas that exist behind all of these delicacies.
Everything these men make - no women have ever competed for the pastry MOF - looks so mouth-watering that no one should dare watch this film on even a half-empty stomach.
A documentary about frantic food fanaticism and hanging around high caloric delicacies all day without gaining a single pound, amid loser tears and perfectionist accessorized cream puffs. Hey dude, it's only food.
Slowly blossoms into something engaging and even poignant, despite an uninspired, point-and-shoot style that rivals Sarah Palin for its lack of inquisitiveness.
The arcane world of elite dessert chefs forms the atmospheric setting one of the ultimate tests of strength and spirit. Another winner from Hegedus and Pennebaker.
If you are addicted to the Food Channel and cannot get enough of Gordon Ramsey, "Kings of Pastry" is a must see...if you have a sweet tooth, your mouth will water and your mind whirl with this carefully balanced ballet of culinary delight.
Cooking competitions have become one of the mainstays of the every burgeoning genre known as reality television. But "Kings of Pastry" apart is set apart by many things, including a long historical tradition.
"Kings of Pastry" is an interesting documentary about the Meilleur Ouvrier de France competition held once every four years with a spotlight on Jacquy Pfeiffer of the French Pastry School of Chicago. To borrow a phrase from one of the judges, it is kind of like the olympics for pastry chefs in that not only have their
entire careers been building to this one moment, it also entirely depends on what they do in competition which is stretched over three days. This time, the theme is weddings with a surprise in store for the chefs. Since this is a great honor that goes just beyond the cool tricolor collars, the judges watch the chefs like hawks in order to make sure they stick closely to the rules, so only the best have a chance. They are not the only ones as the cameras follow the chefs around as they create their concoctions which have to be handled as delicately as possible, giving new meaning to the phrase "agony of defeat." In fact, the judges root for their fellow chefs to make it, as the chief judge cries when he reveals how few actually qualified at the end. Even then, there is a happy ending for the film. However, the documentary did not make me hungry. Well, I wouldn't mind one of those lollipops.
January 8, 2011
Walter M.
Super Reviewer
Wonderful film about the process of becoming a MOF (a best of France chef) in pastry. Fascinating, emotional, and exciting.
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