Words: Winsor Dobbin
Inner West-based Master of Wine Andrew Caillard is credited with having one of the best wine palates in Australia.
Annandale-based Caillard, a wine writer and educator, is the associate producer of the recently completed Blind Ambition, a feature-length documentary film which is scheduled for theatrical release in March.
The story is about four Zimbabwean sommeliers and their quest to compete in the world blind wine tasting Competition in Burgundy.
The film was produced and directed by Warwick Ross and Rob Coe of Third Man films.
Production was completed almost two years ago but the pandemic interfered with its distribution.
Blind Ambition recently won the audience award at both Tribeca (New York) and Sydney Film Festivals.
“This is quite a big deal as it the story has obviously resonated with many people from all walks of life,” Caillard says. “Blind Ambition is not really a wine film, but a story about refugees, proud of their country and profoundly displaced, yet courageous and noble in their aims to represent Zimbabwe in the unusual forum of an international wine tasting competition!
“I spent some time with Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon, the main protagonists of the film, at various stages of filming.
“I often reflect on those times as the experience has profoundly shaped my perspectives about the displaced and the disadvantaged. Blind Ambition is definitely a film for our age!”
Blind Ambition will be released on March 3.
