MIFF – BLIND AMBITION

From Zimbabwe to South Africa and onto France, four refugees with a passion for wine dream big and defy expectations in this feel-good film of Olympic proportions.

Every year, the best oenologists in the world come together for the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships (WBWTC). Regarded as the ‘Olympics of wine tasting’, the event, held in France and established in 2013, has proven to be very conservative and Western-centric. So when Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon – who each fled Zimbabwe in search of a better life, then find it as sommeliers in the restaurants of South Africa – decide to form Zimbabwe’s first WBWTC team, they make an impression on this insular industry. But as the men enter the competition and travel to Europe, it becomes clear that the wine-tasting mission they’re on is about much more than medals.

Warwick Ross (Red Obsession, MIFF 2013) and Robert Coe’s paean to elevated vinous enjoyment – which premiered to adoring audiences at Tribeca 2021 – doubles as an emotionally rich testament to the strength of the human spirit in triumphing over adversity. With commentary provided by wine experts and the subjects’ family members, as well as stunning footage of picturesque European wine country, Blind Ambition is also a sumptuous cinematic treat that is sure to tingle the mind and the senses.

“An uplifting story of hope, courage and determination.” – FilmInk