BUGS

Together with top chef Ben Reade, Josh Evans sets off for Australia. They dive into the world of “bushtucker”, as the Aborigines call everything that can be eaten in the outback. They find and taste the tastiest insects and set off in search of the mysterious bush coconut…

This episode focuses on insect gourmet food in Mexico and Peru. In Mexico, ‘escamoles’, or ant larvae, are particularly famous. One can also find them on the menu at the top restaurant Pujol in Mexico City. In Lima, together with top Peruvian chef Palmiro Ocampo, Josh Evans and Ben Reade set out to introduce beetle larvae to restaurant guests as haute cuisine.

The journey from Josh and Ben leads to Lake Victoria in eastern Africa. They’re on the trail of ancient food traditions in the region, like grasshoppers, crickets, and palm weevil lavas were once an important part of the daily diet. But how common are they in Kenya and Uganda? And how are they harvested in Africa?

The trip to Japan immerses Josh and Sardinian chef Roberto Flores in the world of wasps and hornets. The animals push the two to top culinary performances when they have to prove that Italian pasta can be combined with wasp larvae.

Josh, Ben and Roberto weren’t thinking about Europe when they started their project about eating insects. But in the course of their research, they discover that there are some surprises here, too. In Sardinia, a cheese awaits them that only becomes a delicacy thanks to jumping fly maggots, and in Scandinavia, cockchafers have long been considered a delicacy.

Andreas Johnsen is a cinematographer and director, known for KIDD LIFE and AI WEIWEI – THE FAKE CASE – recent winner of the film critics’ award in Denmark, the Bodil, and nominee at IDFA’s feature length competition in 2013. Andreas Johnsen has a keen eye and a big heart for subcultures. He has a genuine interest in people and music and a natural affinity with individuals who oppose the establishment. He himself is also often as courageous behind the camera as the rebels and freedom seekers he portrays.

Director & Cinematography
Andreas Johnsen

Producer
Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær

Editor
Menno Boerema

Sound Design
Philip Flindt

Foley Artist
Vladimir Rakic

Music
Spacelab

Colour Grading
Anders V Christensen
Kong Gulerod

Graphic Designer
Torsten Høgh Rasmussen

Executive Producers
Andreas Johnsen
Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær
Eva Mulvad
Mikala Krogh
Pernille Rose Grønkjær

Production
Rosforth
Danish Documentary

Co-Production
Submarine
Kloos & Co. Medien
Clin D’oeil Films

Danish Film Institute
SVT
RUV
RTBF
VPRO
Against Gravity
Canvas
Nordisk Film & TV Fond
The Netherlands Film Fund
The Netherlands Film Production Incentive
Creative Europe Programme – MEDIA of the European Union