JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI

A Feature Length Documentary by David Gelb

(in Japanese with English subtitles)

IN THEATERS MARCH 9TH 2012

 

    

    

In the basement of a Tokyo office building, 85 year old sushi master Jiro Ono works tirelessly in his world renowned restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. As his son Yoshikazu faces the pressures of stepping into his father's shoes and taking over the legendary restaurant, Jiro - san relentlessly pursues his lifelong quest to create the perfect piece of sushi.

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. 

For most of his life, Jiro has been mastering the art of making sushi, but even at his age he sees himself still striving for perfection, working from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mold and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow. 

The feature film debut of director David Gelb, JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family, and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled success in the culinary world, and a loving yet complicated father.

City Room Media presents
A Weaver/Pellegrini/Preferred Content production
In association with Sundial Pictures 
A Magnolia Pictures release 

Directed by David Gelb 
Edited by Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer 
Produced by Kevin Iwashina, Tom Pellegrini, David Gelb 
Executive Produced by Matthew Weaver, Stefan Nowicki, Joey Carey 
Co-Executive Produced by Ross Dinerstein, Jeremy Umland, Ed Odjana,

What They're Saying

• AFI Fest Review - Jiro Dreams of Sushi - veryaware.com
• AFI Fest honors David Gelb’s “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” - realscreen.com
• AFI Fest names aud, jury winners - variety.com
• AFI Fest Hands Out Audience Awards... - hollywoodreporter.com

Quotes

"JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a breathtaking portrait of a great artist, a chef unique in the world. The access that the filmmakers had to his life, his thoughts and his words is in itself an extraordinary accomplishment. A thrilling and beautiful portrait of a family and the most thorough, concise and maddeningly delicious looking explanation of the all too frequently misunderstood world of sushi. " --Anthony Bourdain

“JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is about a spiritual journey towards perfection. But it is not about achieving perfection. It is about the act of striving for it. The film is breathtaking, inspirational and most of all humbling. It is really a gift to bear witness to Jiro who is a true master of his craft and whose entire lifestyle and existence is about striving to be better. Anyone passionate about craft, cooking and excellence should watch.”- Eric Ripert, Chef/Co-Owner Le Bernardin

“BREATHTAKING. This is food porn at its best.” – Screencrave

“MOUTHWATERING - An intrinsically compelling hymn to craftsmanship and taste in every sense.” - Leslie Felperein, Variety

“It utilizes a spare, elegant style that perfectly complements its subject’s monastic devotion to purity—and like the master himself, turns something simple into a work of art.” - David Fear, Time Out NY

“Cinematography as lush as the tuna belly. The sushi is shot so lovingly, I'm pretty sure I felt tears welling -- and my mouth watering.” - Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times

“Make sure you’ve already staked out the nearest sushi place. By the time the lights go up you’ll be ravenous.” - Daniel Walber, Indiewire

“A simple yet elegant concoction” - John Lopez, Vanity Fair

"BEAUTIFUL SHOTS of the art of sushi slicing, brushing sauce on the fish and preparation techniques, David Gelb REALLY CAPTURES the experience of both eating at his restaurant, and running it. - Fred Topel, Crave Online

"CLEAN and ELEGANT" -The Moveable Feast

"A DELECTABLE DELIGHT" "CATCH THIS FASCINATING LOOK into the savory world of the sushi craft." -Courtney Howard, Veryaware.com

Visit the Official Website

• For more information visit the official film site: www.magpictures.com/jirodreamsofsushi/