ALL IN THIS TEA
USA 2007 – Director: Gina Leibrecht & Les Blank – Co-Director: Les Blank – Original language: English – Length: 70 min.
The world-renowned American tea importer David Lee Hoffman is a self-proclaimed "sucker for tea". The modern-day adventurer has spent over 25 years travelling to the far reaches of China to seek out the finest handmade teas in the world. His mission is to bring Chinese tea to the global marketplace, to have the teapots of the West flowing with exquisite Chinese varieties.
In this captivating documentary acclaimed filmmakers Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht follow Hoffman on one of his expeditions and reveal to us his passion for the art and science of tea cultivation and his urge to champion the traditions and practices of the tea makers. It is a unique insight into an ancient culture that is sure to get your taste buds flowing.
The essence of this film is perhaps best described by Les Blank's friend, the filmmaker Werner Herzog, as he samples a special cup of tea that tastes "like a forest, leaves on the ground, it has just rained, the rain has stopped, it's damp and you're taking a walk. And somehow that's all in this tea." Anyone for a cuppa?
Camera: Les Blank. Sound: David Silberberg. Editing: Gina Leibrecht. Production: Flower Films. Producer: Les Blank. Co-Producers: Gina Leibrecht, Co-producer.
