Arts: Filming the Greatest Sushi Chef in the World

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Brow Beat Filming the Greatest Sushi Chef in the World: A Conversation With David Gelb By L.V. Anderson Posted Friday, Mar 09, 2012, at 11:09 PM ET At Sukiyabashi Jiro, a meal can run you $363 (or 30,000 yen)—and that's not to mention the airfare to Tokyo for those of us who don't live in Japan. So the restaurant may seem a rather precious subject for a documentary—especially when you learn that the film's director, David Gelb, has little background in either sushi or filmmaking: He's a 28-year-old American who doesn't speak Japanese, and Jiro Dreams of Sushi is his first feature film. And yet Jiro Dreams of Sushi, which opens in limited release tonight, is a well-crafted, tantalizing delight. (I'm not the only one who thinks so: The film currently has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.) Yes, there are many gorgeous shots of chef Jiro Ono's creations, but this is not a glorified Food Network special: Gelb also weaves in a poignant story about the complicated relationships between fathers and sons. Ono, 85, is widely regarded as the greatest sushi chef in the world, and he has trained his two sons, Yoshikazu and Takashi, to follow in his footsteps. Their efforts to earn his approval give the film a surprising emotional force. Slate spoke to Gelb by phone earlier this week about the Ono family, the filming process, and the lifespan of a piece of sushi. Slate: How did you first become interested in Jiro? David Gelb: I owe a lot to my parents for taking me to Japan when I was little. That kind ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate How Radical Was That Law Professor Obama Hugged? Game Change: Julianne Moore Is So Good, She Can Make Even a Liberal Feel Sorry for Sarah Palin Hate Groups Are Thriving. KKK Membership Is Dwindling. Why?	Advertisement
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