“The Truffle Hunters” opens at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center on April 30.
The film explores a world most viewers will know nothing about with delightfully savory results.
Deep in the forests of Piedmont, Italy, a handful of men, 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. They live a simpler, slower way of life, in harmony with their loyal animals and their picture-perfect land, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. They’re untethered to cell phone screens or the Internet, opting instead to make their food and drink by hand and prioritizing in-person connections and community.
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. However, as it soon becomes clear, these ageing men may just hold something much more valuable than even this prized delicacy: the secret to a rich and meaningful life.
“The Truffle Hunters,” which has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America, is showing at the Ross through May 13.
A ruefully funny calling card for debuting director Emma Seligman,”Shiva Baby,” transcends its sitcom setup with strong performances.
The film follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a young, bisexual Jewish college student who goes to a shiva with her parents after spending the morning with her sugar daddy, Max (Danny Deferrari). What she doesn’t know is that this shiva will be where her life will dramatically collapse around her.
“Shiva Baby” shows at the Ross through May 6.
Show times are available on the Ross website or by calling 402-472-5353.
