United States 2024, 76 min, English, Hebrew & English subtitles

Prepare to embark on a captivating culinary and philosophical journey in Shelf Life, the latest documentary from Tribeca alum Ian Cheney (The Search for General Tso). This quirky and contemplative film takes us on a global odyssey into the world of cheese, drawing unexpected parallels between the aging process of this beloved food and the human experience of growing old. From the passionate cheesemakers in Japan to the knowledgeable mongers in Tbilisi, Cheney introduces us to a colorful cast of characters who share their unique perspectives on decay, dissolution and the art of crafting the perfect cheese.

Beautifully shot and gently paced, Shelf Life offers a sensory delight that will leave you craving a taste of the world’s finest cheeses while pondering the more profound questions of life and mortality. Through odd visual meditations and darkly comedic flourishes, Cheney masterfully weaves a charming and haunting narrative, inviting viewers to savor the complexities of aging in all its forms. This delectable documentary is a must-see for food enthusiasts and anyone seeking a fresh, thought-provoking cinematic experience

Previous Festivals: Tribeca Film Festival

Screening Schedule:
  • Sat 24.05 17:00, Cinematheque 4 Purchase
  • Sat 31.05 10:00, Cinematheque 1 Purchase

Ian Cheney is an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker. He has completed twelve feature documentaries, including King Corn (2007), The Greening of Southie (2008), The City Dark (2011), The Search for General Tso (2014), Bluespace (2015), The Most Unknown (2018), The Emoji Story (2019), Thirteen Ways (2019), Picture a Scientist (2020), The Long Coast (2020) and The Arc of Oblivion (2023). His short films include Two Buckets (2006), Truck Farm (2010), The Melungeons (2013), The Smog of the Sea (2016) and The Measure of a Fog (2017). He received bachelor’s & master’s degrees from Yale University, and an MFA in Film from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. A former MacDowell Fellow & Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT, he lives in midcoast Maine.

Production: Robyn Metcalfe, Meredith DeSalazar, Manette Pottle, Rebecca Taylor, Julia de Guzman
Editing: Natasha Bedu, Ian Cheney
Cinematography: Ezra Wolfinger
Music: Ben Fries, Simon Beins