The Golden Spurtle
Showtimes
Directed by Constantine Cost, The Golden Spurtle is a heartwarming story about the World Porridge Championship. Yes, there really is one – and the competition draws participants from as far away as Australia and Canada to the small Scottish village of Carrbridge. A “spurtle” is a traditional Scottish kitchen utensil. According to experts, the stick-shaped, wooden spurtle is a much better tool for stirring porridge than a regular spoon.
For the villagers of Carrbridge, the porridge competition is intertwined with their Scottish identity. Bagpipes play and whiskies are tasted during breaks to wash dishes. Combining three ingredients: water, flakes and salt perfectly has its own special magic. The porridges prepared in the Carrbridge competition are a far cry from the soggy mush that many of us quickly spoon up for breakfast.
The eccentric cast of characters in The Golden Spurtle are united by the love of porridge. For event manager Charlie Miller, the 30th edition will be his last before retirement. The organising team is elderly, raising questions about the future of the competition.
Reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s and Christopher Guest’s films, The Golden Spurtle makes you see good old porridge with new eyes.
Sauri Pölönen (translated by Kati Kiviniemi)
