6. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
There have been plenty documentaries about food, and with dozens of entire television networks dedicated to culinary culture the subject matter seems to have been thoroughly exhausted by now. But the thing that makes Jiro Dreams of Sushi such a tremendous feat of storytelling is that food serves constructively as the characters muse rather than as the documentarys focus. The documentary follows Sukiyabashi Jiro, a Micheline Guide 3-star Japanese sushi chef, at his family-owned restaurant in Tokyo. An 85-year-old chef, Jiro tells us that he has been making sushi since he was a teenager, and that he has spent nearly eight decades discovering innovative ways to serve Japans flagship delicacy. While the documentarys namesake honors go to Jiro, there is a cast of charismatic and colorful personalities that help drive this feature. From Jiros own sons, who have both become positively exceptional sushi chefs in their own right, to the optimistic apprentices who are still only allowed to make rice, to the market vendors who are all experts in their respective product everyone contributes to this portrait of camaraderie and an admirable work ethic. Jiro offers an insightful look into Japanese professional culture, and how it values time-earned expertise over wealth and ease. At its heart, the documentary beautifully illustrates the passion and dedication that drove one man to become an absolute master of his craft. Not to mention, its one of the most artistically shot documentaries that youll ever see.