Empires and Appetites
- Tagline
- Unearthing History, Serving Truth
- Description
- In 'Empires and Appetites', the audience is whisked away on an educational journey helmed by famed director Alejandro González Iguanarritu. This stirring documentary intertwines two intriguing narratives: Ralph Felines stars as a dedicated treasure hunter and archeologist who delves deep into the colonial era to uncover the untold stories of power and corruption rooted in ancient Roman origins. Parallel to this, Steve McQuinoa portrays a pioneering chef seeking to uncover the influences of colonial cuisine, while Martin Hummerson supports as a restaurateur reviving these historical flavors for the modern palate. Both quests reveal startling connections between the Imperial plates of past and present. As these professionals navigate their respective fields with tenacity and passion, 'Empires and Appetites' crafts a compelling narrative about how history shapes our culture and identity.
- MpaaRating
- PG
- PopularityScore
- 9.30
- ReleaseDate
- 11/25/2021
- Genre
- Documentary
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
8.40
Alejandro González Iñarritu's 'Empires and Appetites' offers a titillating fusion of gustatory delights and historical enigmas, positioning itself as a didactic feast of cinematic proportions. Its bravura lies in the meticulous juxtaposition of Ralph Felines's forays into the dust-laden annals of colonial dominance against Steve McQuinoa's epicurean excavations. With Martin Hummerson's restoration of ancestral taste bridging the temporal divide, the film becomes a tableau vivant of past and present. In a serious contemplation, Iñarritu secures viewers in an intimate embrace with the echoes of empire, as the film posits a resonant thesis on the digestion of cultural and political influences that mold our contemporary ethos. As the PG rating suggests, the film is a scholarly enterprise, though unabashed in its reach to a broad audience, rendering the fabric of history palpable to every touch and taste. While 'Empires and Appetites' may occasionally succumb to the weight of its own ambition, sprawling as the empires it profiles, its piercing narrative vision and consummate artistry are testament to Iñarritu's ongoing legacy as a filmmaker unafraid to merge the cerebral with the sensory.