Cheese takes center stage in Shelf Life
This past weekend, the Tribeca Film Festival premiered Shelf Life, a unique documentary that delves into the world of cheese and aging. Directed by Ian Cheney, the film explores an unusual premise: can spending time with those who age cheese offer insights into the human experience of growing old?
Shelf Life is comprised of around a dozen short vignettes, each one portraying a different aspect of the global cheese ecosystem. From ancient origins in Egypt to today’s streamlined production methods, the film takes viewers on a journey across space and time, focusing on themes surrounding aging and decay.
Executive Producer Robyn Metcalfe hopes the film will resonate deeply with audiences, “our hope is that viewers will be surprised to learn that cheese is far more than food. We may have more in common with cheese than we ever imagined.”
Jarod Neece of the Tribeca Film Festival praised the documentary, saying, “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.”
As Shelf Life makes its mark on the festival circuit, it promises to leave audiences with a newfound appreciation for the parallels between the art of cheesemaking and the human aging process, enriching their understanding of both.
Josie Krogh
Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.
