Black Coffee is a highly informative and entertaining Canadian documentary that was released in 2005. As the name suggests, it is about coffee, a subject the film nimbly romanticizes and analyzes as a “dark medium” through which the social, economic, cultural and sexual mores of the world are exposed.
Style
Without taking on any of the sensationalism of today’s “for TV” documentaries and reality TV shows, this documentary is thoroughly entertaining. In lieu of over-stylized editing, it relies on fascinating anecdotes and facts from coffee’s long and rich history. The result is an educational and enjoyable film with enough points of interest to appeal to people who don’t even care much for coffee.
Topics Covered
Disc one of this two-disc series is primarily about coffee’s history from the Ethiopian origin myth to the early use of slave-worked plantations during Napoleon’s time.
Disc two covers the decline and slow revival of coffee quality due to economic factors. Its focus is less on the social aspects of coffee consumption than it is on the socioeconomic aspects of coffee production.
Both discs include compelling stories about coffee that span many years and much of the globe.
Disc two covers the decline and slow revival of coffee quality due to economic factors. Its focus is less on the social aspects of coffee consumption than it is on the socioeconomic aspects of coffee production.
Both discs include compelling stories about coffee that span many years and much of the globe.
Misinformation & Omissions
There are a few pieces of misinformation in this documentary, notably the claim that coffee is the world’s second-most valuable legal commodity in the world after oil. (Sadly, this common belief that was disproved only after the documentary was released).
Although many topics are covered, the subject of flavor profiles is discussed very little. Perhaps this is a topic for another documentarian to address!
Although many topics are covered, the subject of flavor profiles is discussed very little. Perhaps this is a topic for another documentarian to address!
Overall Opinion
I highly recommend this documentary to anyone interested in learning about the myths, histories and social phenomena behind their favorite brew. From beginning to end, it is well produced and filled with information worth knowing.
