[Documentary Recommendation | Documentary Review] Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Thoughts: If I could watch just one documentary in my life forever, it would be this.
The inspiration, the drive, and the little things that turn out to be the biggest -
that's what makes this documentary so damn perfect, from its' style, its' music -
its' scenery, and its' graceful transitions, it practically screams of magic somehow.
Plus, the lessons one can learn from this documentary alone can be life-changing.
So if you have Netflix, watch it when you can. P.S. I wrote this three-four months ago.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
On the surface, this is simply about a man who dedicated his life to a profession from when he was young to now, at the age of eighty-five. Digging deeper, we find that this is about a man who is considered a master of his craft, a man who fell in love with the joys of his art, a man whose ten-seat, $300 a plate, three-starred Michelin restaurant is a legend in Tokyo, and a man who created a legacy out of nothing, not just for himself, but for his children as well.
Whimsical. Charming. Inspiring. These are only some words I could use to describe this heart-warming documentary that is filled with so much beauty. From its’ aesthetically mouth-watering food and delightful music, I was transported into a world of dreams and a life of perfection and simplicity. This documentary didn't just have me delving into the human psyche, it also taught me more of respecting and honoring one’s elders along with giving me the privilege to catch a glimpse into the heart and soul given in a man’s lifetime, a lifetime of dedication.
But not only are we shown with the many facets of Jiro Ono as a perfectionist, as a genius, as a businessman, and as a friend or as a child until his later years, and as a father; other stories and snippets are conveyed as well. We see his youngest son who ventures out of his father’s wings, his eldest son who carries a burden to someday take over, and both who are attempting to make their own marks out of their father’s legacy.
On display are also portrayals of the charismatic, proficient, and diligent staff and his apprentices who’ll spend years to hone their skills, and even a former apprentice’s thoughts are included, a food critic who still feels nervous in the presence of Jiro Ono, other experts - on rice, fish, et cetera - of businesses they deal with to cultivate their craft. And for the apprentices already there, the orchestra Jiro Ono and his team creates with the art of sushi and the fundamental lesson of avidity and aspiration.
So even though you may not be a sushi-lover or a foodie by any means, it is a documentary worth-watching for its’ emotionally-charged trigger, to find a passion that drives the very foundation of who and what one can become. This is an awakening documentary and makes a well-know quote by Confucius filled with validity, “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” For a man named Jiro Ono, we can say that this is true, for he himself said, “I’ve never once hated this job. I fell in love with my work and gave my life to it. Even though I’m eighty-five-years-old, I don’t feel like retiring. That’s how I feel.”
Who else in the world today minus a few percentage could say and actually mean a statement such as that?
Other Memorable Quotes:
"Always look ahead and above yourself. Always try to improve on yourself. Always strive to elevate your craft. That's what he taught me." - Yoshikazu Ono, the elder of the two children of Jiro Ono
"These days the first thing people want is an easy job. Then, they want lots of free time. And then, they want lots of money. But they aren't thinking of building their skills. When you work at a place like Jiro's, you are committing to a trade for life." - Shrimp Dealer
"When I was in school... I was a bad kid. Later, when I was invited to give a talk at the school, I wasn't sure if I should tell the kids that they should study hard... or that it is okay to be a rebel. I wasn't sure what advice to give the kids. Studying hard doesn't guarantee you will become a respectable person. Even if you're a bad kid... there are people like me who change. I thought that would be a good lesson to teach. But if I said that bad kids can succeed later on like I did... all the kids would start misbehaving which would be a problem. Always doing what you are told doesn't mean you'll succeed in life." - Jiro Ono
"Once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably." - Jiro Ono
À la prochaine, H