Four Zimbabwean sommeliers living in South Africa join forces to compete as the first Zimbabwe team at the World Wine Tasting Championships in this inspirational and heartwarming feature documentary from Australian directors Warwick Ross and Rob Coe. Blind Ambition made its international premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin, and Pardon never imagined they’d become sommeliers; they had never tried so much as a sip of wine prior to taking jobs as waiters in South Africa. But life is full of new directions, and as Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed around them and millions faced starvation, Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin, and Pardon were among those who fled Zimbabwe and braved the treacherous journey into South Africa in hopes of a fresh start to support their families. The four men eventually landed on their feet, finding jobs as waiters in restaurants in and around Cape Town, sparking their interest in wine. Those familiar with Cape Town and the surrounding wine regions will recognize the names of the prestigious locations in which the four men became sommeliers and head sommeliers, including Test Kitchen, Aubergine, Cape Grace Hotel, and La Colombe. Wine brought the four men together, and Jean Vincent (nicknamed JV), the South African wine team coach, encouraged them to form a Zimbabwe team to compete in the World Wine Tasting Championships in France. It’s at this juncture of their lives that Blind Ambition jumps in.
Ross and Coe masterfully interweave the team’s championship preparations, their individual backstories, interviews with family members, and commentaries from distinguished figures in the wine industry. The film’s seamless transitions and lively soundtrack create a fluid energy that captivates viewers and propels the narrative forward, while the Zimbabweans’ resilience, friendship, and humour imbue the film with heart. Stunning cinematography from Scott Munro and Martin McGrath showcases sweeping landscapes, the love and strength of family, and the visual intricacies of wine. Slow-motion shots capture the rich swirl of plum-red wine and a nose inhaling the layered scents, mirroring the descriptive narration and engaging us in a sensory experience.
Ross and Coe’s backgrounds in filmmaking and wine serve them well in Blind Ambition. The two previously worked together on Red Obsession (2013), a documentary chronicling the rise of Bordeaux wine in China. Ross and David Roach co-directed the film while Coe served as executive producer. In addition, Ross himself owns a vineyard in Australia where he produces Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Ross and Coe’s relevant knowledge and experience adds a maturity to Blind Ambition and the way they document the wine industry, while still maintaining a strong sense of fun and entertainment.
Ahead of the wine tasting “Olympics,” we watch as the Zimbabwe teammates hold training sessions with JV, who guides them as they practice their blind wine tasting abilities and learn to work together as a team. Their task at the Wine Tasting Championships is daunting. At the competition, 24 teams from around the world taste twelve wines (six red, six white) blind, meaning without knowing what has been poured, and must identify five categories per wine: grape variety, country, region, producer, and vintage. Teams score points for every correct answer, and the team with the most points wins. The competition is extremely challenging for even the most experienced teams, but the Zimbabweans’ high spirits and determination keep their motivation strong.
The tension builds as the championship draws nearer. With JV focused on his own team, the Zimbabweans race to find a coach to help them in France, landing on Denis Garret. Once one of the best wine tasters in the world, Garret is a kooky character with a strong ego who is the first to admit he often clashes with others. It’s a rollercoaster experience in France with Garret onboard, causing frustration for the Zimbabwe team. Ultimately, the team weathers the ride, blocking out Garret to focus on their strengths: wine and each other.
Blind Ambition educates the viewer about wine tasting in a way that is simultaneously entertaining and eye-opening, linking it to the men’s own stories to provide a different perspective on wine and the culture around it. Much more than a film about wine, Blind Ambition tackles the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and the impact of uprooting your family, the difficulty of trying to start fresh in a foreign country, and the incredible journeys of the four men as they developed interest in the nuances of wine and threw themselves into an unlikely career path. The team’s friendship, heart, spirit and perseverance are embedded in the film, inspiring viewers and offering a remarkable film experience.
Score: A
© 2021. UniversalCinema Mag.