Independents Night: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

February 13, 6:30pm | Buy Tickets

Look behind the counter of a 10-seat sushi restaurant near a Tokyo subway station and you will find 85-year-old Jiro Ono, possibly the world’s greatest sushi chef. His restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, has three Michelin stars, and was recently dubbed by Tony Bourdain “as close to a religious experience in food as one is likely to get.” Yet with all these accolades Jiro still strives for perfection, working long hours, tasting every piece of fish, and constantly finessing his presentation. And training his employees, which has included his eldest son Yoshikazu, who at 50 years of age, is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow.

Filmmaker David Gelb, whose frequent family trips to Japan while growing up led to his fascination for this culinary art, does more than focus on the food. In his feature film debut he has created a thoughtful and elegant meditation on work, family and the art of perfection, chronicling Jiro’s life as both an unparalleled culinary success, and a loving yet complicated father.

Followed by a special reception and Q&A with director David Gelb! A Magnolia Pictures release.