Truffle hunters form a bond with their dogs. Paul Goldfinger still photo from the documentary.

This highly regarded documentary is available on Netflix to buy for $14.99  It is set in the Piedmont region of Northwest Italy, near France,  where expensive autumn truffles are found and compliment the cuisine and fine wines of that area.

The movie features a group of elderly truffle hunters who care about little else than going into the woods with their valuable dogs. There is great competition by buyers who need truffles to satisfy chefs all over the world.

In one scene a gentleman in a suit and tie sits down by himself in a restaurant and orders a fried egg.  A waiter comes over and shaves a bit of truffle onto the egg.

The man is ecstatic as he slowly consumes this gourmet treat, taking small mouthfuls and chewing with great precision.

He reminds me of a Frenchman we saw in a Paris restaurant who sat by himself for dinner. He took one forkful at a time, put down the utensils, and chewed slowly. He then took a sip of red wine and resumed this gustatory ballet.

The French stay slim despite some fatty foods. This is part of the “French paradox” written about in our book “Prevention Does Work—A Guide to a Healthy Heart” by Eileen and Paul Goldfinger.

THE BUDAPEST SYMPHONY.     Chopin’s “Barcarolle”from the movie Life Is Beautiful.