Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros

Renowned filmmaker Frederick Wiseman steers his patient gaze to the workings of one of the world's finest restaurants.

Founded in 1930 in central France, the Troisgros family restaurant has been holding three Michelin stars for 55 years over four generations. Michel Troisgros, the third generation to head the restaurant, has turned over the responsibility for the cuisine to his son César, the forth generation of Troisgros chefs.

From the market to pick fresh vegetables, to a cheese processing plant, a vineyard, an organic cattle ranch to the backyard garden supplying the restaurant, director Frederick Wiseman embarks us on a mouthwatering journey into the family’s three restaurant kitchens.

An immersive experience, showing the great artistry, ingenuity, imagination and hard work of the restaurant staff in creating, preparing and presenting meals of the highest quality.

Curator's Note

Two years ago ACMI presented an extended season celebrating the films of Frederick Wiseman called It Takes Time. The director's films really do take time. They take time and patience to make, and they take time and patience for audiences to experience.

For Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros, Wiseman masterfully dismantles one of the world's finest restaurants down to every cog to build a comprehensive understanding of how they work. The director's ability to hone in on the often unseen details truly befits the restaurant's own heightened attention to detail making Frederick Wiseman and the restaurant a beautiful pairing, reflecting their shared search for perfection.

Menus-Plaisirs – Les Troisgros is a four-hour-long documentary experience that demands to be experienced in the cinema and rewards a patient and focused audience.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)