The Golden Spurtle

A documentary following the 30th annual porridge making championship - ‘The Golden Spurtle’.

I’m a keen porridge maker so this was an instant thumbs up for me. By sheer chance I also happen to follow the same (somewhat puritanical) rules as are laid out in this competition. Only three ingredients are allowed: oatmeal (not rolled porridge oats), water and salt.

What a lovingly made, charming film. It’s a superb snapshot of village life, a village that every year hosts a tournament about making porridge. It perhaps goes without saying that the locals are not without a sense of humour.

The contest itself is no joke though. People travel from as far as Australia to compete. The cast of characters is diverse, and the film often strikes gold with its interviews. The health-food shop owner from London, clearly irked by the fact he’s entered 10 times and never won, is so intense he’s like a comedy villain.

There’s a pleasing, homely aesthetic to the film. It’s all in 4:3, and goes out of its way to get the best shots and frames for its characters. A real labour of love, and an oddly profound ode to the joys of life and community.