By Jesse Dixon
Written and directed by Constantine Costi, this heartfelt documentary showcases the 30th Annual World Porridge Championship, a.k.a The Golden Spurtle. Featuring competitors from all around the world, this very prestigious event is brought to life by the beautiful people of Carrbridge, Scotland, of which 10% of the population takes part in some way or another.
The rules of the Spurtle are simple, but highly enforced. The event takes place over a series of half-hour heats, with the six most impressive bowls advancing their maker to the final, Competitors are only permitted to use water, salt, and of course oats, and they must provide their own ingredients. Porridge-enthusiasts from the U.K., Australia, Canada, Zimbabwe, and many more long to be crowned the World Porridge Champion and take home the lustrous Golden Spurtle trophy.
That all sounds very exciting, but the real achievement of Costi’s documentary is the characterisation of the Carrbridge folk who make this event possible. Among them is Porridge Chieftan Charlie Miller, who after thirty years of organising the Spurtle is finally hanging up the apron. Charlie takes great care in his work, providing the audience with a tour of the competition site, a suprtle-making demonstration, and introducing and commenting on competitors and fellow staff.
He is very, very good at being in a documentary, his line delivery appears so natural because it is, he is a forever Porridge Chieftan retired or not. Charlie is not the only porridge-crazy Carrbridgian featured in this film. We get to meet many interesting folks involved with the Spurtle, including the charming washing-up team, the flag ironer, the local railman, the local meteorologist, the ‘Raffle Queen’, the on-site whiskey expert, and many more. Each and every one of them is memorable, funny, and adorable just as they are. It’s a community that makes you want to pack your bags and move there in an instant.
Perhaps a contributing factor to the lasting impact of these subjects is how well they are captured by director of photography Dimitri Zaunders. It doesn’t take long to realise that Zaunders is a huge Wes Anderson fan. Interviewees are captured from a variety of obscure angles and distances in an arrangement of unique locations. The cinematography is incredibly refreshing and lively compared to other documentaries in which the subjects are all shot from the waist up in front of dull backgrounds. This extends to exterior shots of the porridge venue, the contestant’s houses, the outdoors, and most importantly the porridge itself which looks absolutely delicious through Zaunder’s eyes. The Golden Spurtle looks an absolute picture through its entire seventy-five minutes, there is always something to stare admirably at.
You’ll probably come to The Golden Spurtle for the great competition. You’ll meet the competitors, root for your favourite, and wait in suspense as the Porridge Champion of the World is crowned. You’ll wonder at the porridge revolution, as makers young and old are united in their passion for this breakfast item. You’ll consider whipping up a bowl for yourself next morning.
But you’ll stay for Carrbridge. The beautiful people who live there, united in their task to reward the finest makers of real Scottish porridge and provide a marvellous day out for their community. This is Carrbridge’s contribution to their country, their continent, damn it, the world! The joy of the porridge-makers, audience members, and viewers at home like myself, all goes a tremendously long way.
And as you watch along, within your own community, suburb, town or city, perhaps you should consider:
What will you do?
The Golden Spurtle is in select Australian cinemas from Thursday 11th December.