- Release year: 2025
- Director: Constantine Costi.
- Producers: John Archer and Rebecca Lamond.
- Screenplay by: Constantine Costi.
- Cinematography by: Dimitri Zaunders.
- Music by: Simon Bruckard.
Synopsis: documentary of a porridge competition in the Scottish Highlands.
Shotgun Commentary: wholesome pick-me-up for a silly afternoon.
Review
The Golden Spurtle is a quirky documentary with Wes Anderson aesthetics that offers a peek into Scottish rural life and the creation of porridge. A staple of Scottish (and British, for that matter) food, it will be hard for you to find a single person on the island who’s never had it. As such, it is the perfect theme for a rural competition, or so they think in Carrbridge, the town hosting the event.
On camera
The documentary follows a few of the townsfolk and interviews both locals and competitors, who, surprisingly, come from all over the world. Ever woken up one day and thought, “I’d like to compete in a porridge competition?”. Well, that is the case of one of the competitors, but each and every one of them has an equally quaint and unique backstory that led them there. A wonderful myriad of personalities that, complete with those of the townsfolk, create an ensemble that can easily stand right alongside the most adorably eccentric characters of Wes Anderson.
If you happen to be a Scotland enthusiast, like 90% of the planet, you will also be happy to learn that you do get a big chunk of “slice of life” moments that function as windows into an average day in the country. Namely, rain, wind, thick accents that may or may not be speaking English, and comically adorable and kind people with an incredible sense of humour. An overall wholesome content with just enough percentage of insanity to be incredibly entertaining.
The story is straightforward enough, the man in charge of managing the porridge-making competition is retiring, as such, they are filming his last competition, where the best of the best is competing for a chance to win the coveted golden spurtle, the price of the competition. From all corners of the planet (yes, really), enthusiasts of porridge making get together to show off their special recipes. Could you think of anything more pure to watch? Yeah, me neither.
Behind cameras
Technically, the film is very much a Wes Anderson production in anything but name. The camera movements, the symmetry in all the frames, the positioning of each individual during their interviews… Everything will remind you of the director’s productions, which pairs quite nicely with the whimsicality of the content.
Granted, the colour palette doesn’t quite follow this popular style of content creation, but why should it? After all, this is not an Anderson feature, and messing with the colours of Scottish nature would be a sin. Instead, the film takes advantage of the vibrant greens, deep blues, and calming greys to bring out the most natural and faithful colour palette of a Scottish countryside.
All in all, The Golden Spurtle is a fun slice-of-life documentary that doesn’t overstay its welcome. A breath of innocent fresh air in a world where wholesome events often feel few and far between.
The Golden Spurtle is now screening at Leiden International Film Festival in the Netherlands! Screening on October the 11th. Find all the info here!
Advice to take from this movie:
- If you want to compete in something you do well, look it up online. Chances are, there is a competition somewhere for you.
- Symmetry will never be unwelcomed in a film.
- If you organise an event in Scotland, make sure you do it under a roof.
What’s your take? Have you watched The Golden Spurtle? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀