The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Review: ‘Blind Ambition’ at Tribeca Film Festival 2021

by Chandler Wickers June 24, 2021
by Chandler Wickers June 24, 2021 0 comments
2.6K

A documentary about grit and gratitude, “Blind Ambition” profiles four sommeliers competing for team Zimbabwe at the World Blind Wine Tasting Championships in Bordeaux, France.

The story is remarkable solely for the challenge its characters face: to blind taste twelve wines, correctly attributing each to its grape variety, country, region, producer and vintage. However the background of its protagonists prove even more extraordinary; the four men are Zimbabwean refugees who emigrated to Cape Town, South Africa in the wake of their homeland’s 2008 economic crisis. In seeking a better life, they pursue opportunities across the restaurant industry, and all soon after fall in love with wine. 

Their cumulative inexperience with the foreign liquid serves as little obstacle to their career trajectories. Each becomes a sommelier at top-tier restaurants across Cape Town. However it’s clear their paths to success have been met with inexpressible suffering and sacrifice; in leaving behind desperate conditions in Zimbabwe, they only faced greater desperation across the border’s refugee camps, facing pervasive violence and hunger.

A story of underdog faith, Blind Ambition presents its competitors’ determined spirit across a series of trainings that lead up to the main event, dubbed the “Olympics of wine tasting.” The four Somms are already making history as part of the first Zimbabwe team to ever compete, but it’s clear they’re also in it to win it all. However serious their intentions, there’s a certain lightness and playfulness with which they approach the process, serving the film’s endearing tone. As the group travels across new lands and encounters new tastes, you can’t help but appreciate – as one wine professional remarks – “the awe with which they regard wine.” With the odds stacked against the four men, the competition’s outcome isn’t nearly as relevant as the team’s momentous undertaking.

The cinematic experience relies heavily on portraiture and is lean on characteristic style; it does deliver amusing flashes of drama, namely in the rivalry between the South Africa and Zimbabwe wine coaches, two eccentrics whose ego-driven actions at times threaten to stray the team off course. On the whole, the film offers a pleasurable viewing experience for those looking for an empowering and uplifting story. In the aftermath of our collective pandemic-induced hardship, Blind Ambition is a welcomed stimulant for the soul.

Co-written and directed by Australians Warwick Ross and Rob Coe, “Blind Ambition” had its World Premiere screening in the Documentary Competition section at Tribeca Film Festival. Its wider release has yet to be announced.

Blind AmbitionDocumentary FilmFilm ReviewTribeca 2021Tribeca Film Festival
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Chandler Wickers

previous post
Exclusive: Culture House Talks Commitment to Diversity In Film and TV!
next post
Film Review: F9 – The Fast Saga

Related Posts

Super-Meh: James Gunn’s Superman Feels Like It’s Trying...

July 11, 2025

Inside the Star-Studded Gurus Beauty Awards Hosted by...

July 10, 2025

The 2025 Gayming Awards Blessed WeHo with Star...

July 9, 2025

Reagan To talks Squid Game

July 9, 2025

Baekhyun ‘Climbs Up Our Hearts’ with Dreamy ‘Reverie’...

July 8, 2025

Julian Lerner: Leading a New Era of Disney...

July 8, 2025

A Garden in the Sky: Fourth of July...

July 8, 2025

Splendid Summer with Peroni and Giada De Laurentiis

July 8, 2025

The Death of Rasputin Was a Dark Dream...

July 7, 2025

Julia Melim’s One-Woman Show #MESSY (The Brazilian Hour)

July 7, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Diana Ross defines an icon. A national treasure w Diana Ross defines an icon.  A national treasure with a magnificent legacy that has changed the course of music history and popular culture. Get ready for an incredible night at the Hollywood Bowl on July 24 +25. We’ve teamed up with #HollywoodBowl and #LAPhil for a ticket giveaway! This is a show you won’t want to miss! 

Click the link 🔗 in our bio to enter

Giveaway ends on Friday @ 11:59PM EST - Good Luck!
#knockgiveaway #losangeles
Sweet as “Candy,” and as high as an “Elevato Sweet as “Candy,” and as high as an “Elevator…” 🍬

On July 6th, at the iconic Kia Forum in Los Angeles, the beloved Korean idol @baekhyunee_exo took the stage for the last U.S. stop of his first ever solo tour under his own label, @inb100_official. ✨

🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/baekhyun/ 

#Baekhyun #INB100 #Kpop #KpopConcert #ReviereTour #Reviere #EXO
✨ Red, white, and boom! ✨ Macy’s iconic @mac ✨ Red, white, and boom! ✨
Macy’s iconic @macys Fourth of July Fireworks lit up the night sky over the Brooklyn Bridge in a dazzling display of light, sound, and celebration. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/macys-fourth-of-july-fireworks-sparkle-bright-at-brooklyn-bridge/

-
#MacysFireworks #BrooklynBridge #FourthOfJuly #NYCSummer
@lorde “Virgin” is more than an album — it’s an aural snapshot of an artist on the brink of redefining pop music. Step inside Lorde’s world, with us. 🎧🩻

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/virgin-an-x-ray-of-lordes-sonic-arrival/

✍️: Jesse Kosierowski

-
#Lorde #Virgin #MusicReview #PopCulture
Meet @dominiquethorne , the rising star behind “ Meet @dominiquethorne , the rising star behind “Ironheart”, @marvelstudios newest @disneyplus show. From Wakanda to a tech-powered hero, she shares the journey, challenges, and excitement of suiting up as Riri Williams. Get ready for a fresh take on heroism! 🔥💥

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/dominique-thorne-talks-new-marvel-tv-show-ironheart-on-disney/

✍️: OJ Williams

-
 #Ironheart #MarvelTV #DisneyPlus #DominiqueThorne
Taron Egerton’s range is unreal, and in his late Taron Egerton’s range is unreal, and in his latest project, he’s turning up the heat, literally! We chatted with him for Smoke at @tribeca! 💨🔥
Real fire, real life, Smoke on @appletv has it all Real fire, real life, Smoke on @appletv has it all! We chatted with director Dennis Lehane at @tribeca! 🔥💨
Anna Chlumsky talks working with Dennis Lehane (an Anna Chlumsky talks working with Dennis Lehane (and real fire!) at the world premiere of Smoke on @appletv @tribeca!
The Future of Black Music is NOW! 🎶🎵🎤 We The Future of Black Music is NOW! 🎶🎵🎤

We got the chance to profile 5 amazing new artist and, just know, BLACK music is in great hands!

Check out our profiles on @thefcknartist @niko.noir @babyfaceray @veezeworst @ynjay_ 

Detroit, don’t miss out! Come experience the Future of Black Music live! 🎧🎸🥁🎹🎺🎻

With live performances of today’s best emerging artists. 

RSVP now in the bio to come visit the culture. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Detroit! Are you ready to experience the Future of Detroit! Are you ready to experience the Future of Black Music! 🎶🎵🎤

Presented by Smirnoff Lemonades & BCode, curated by The Basement Series. Come see the movement move forward! 

RSVP now in the bio to come experience the culture. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Cutting-edge scares, killer dance moves, and AI ch Cutting-edge scares, killer dance moves, and AI chaos 💃🤖
@m3gan 2.0 is the wild ride your summer needed. Read our full take! 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/m3gan-2-0-is-ridiculous-over-the-top-fun-but-also-poses-important-questions-about-ai/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala

-
#M3GAN2 #AIHorror #SciFiThriller #HorrorComedy #SummerMovies #TechTerror #AIQuestions #MovieReview #CampyHorror
Mini fashion moments, major throwback energy 👛 Mini fashion moments, major throwback energy 👛
@shopcider x @pollypocket took over @alfred with tiny accessories, buttery croissants, and all the Y2K feels 💅☕

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/tiny-fashion-big-nostalgia-cider-x-polly-pocket-pops-up-in-beverly-hills/

✍️: Ashley Lopez

-
#CiderxPollyPocket #ShopCider #PollyPocket #CiderGirls #CiderStyle #Alfreds
☀️Summer just kicked off with @dearsummerfesti ☀️Summer just kicked off with @dearsummerfestival. The HBCU kickback inspired festival that grew from a cultural campus phenomenon into becoming the latest and fastest-growing black-owned music festival. 🔥

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/inside-dear-summer-festival-the-black-owned-festival-gaining-national-momentum-built-by-hbcu-alumni/

✍️: Briana Boateng 
-
#MeekMill #Valiant #HBCU #DearSummerFestival
@tydollasign takes Tribeca. 🎥 The artist premie @tydollasign takes Tribeca. 🎥
The artist premiered his powerful new doc ‘Still Free TC’—a raw, emotional follow-up to his 2015 album—spotlighting family, justice, and legacy.
10 years later, the message still hits.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/ty-dolla-ign-premieres-still-free-tc-documentary-at-tribeca-film-festival/

✍️: Kadeem Lundy

-
#StillFreeTC #TyDollaSign #TribecaFestival #MusicDocumentary #HipHopCulture #JusticeForTC #Tribeca2025
ENTER TO WIN a pair of tickets to July Fourth Fire ENTER TO WIN a pair of tickets to July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Earth, Wind & Fire at the Hollywood Bowl on July 2, 3, & 4th! Nine-time Grammy Award-winning icons and one of the best-selling artists of all - Earth, Wind & Fire brings their iconic and timeless catalog of music with hits like “September” and “Shining Star” for three thrilling nights of songs, fireworks and fun. If you don’t win the tickets…don’t worry we’ll have a 20% off code on select sections!
Here’s how to enter:
✅Follow @theknockturnal 
❤️Like this post
👯Tag the friend you want to bring with you

Giveaway ends Monday, June 23 @ 11:59PM EST/8:59PM PST ! 
#KnockturnalGiveaway #EarthWindFire #HollywoodBowl #Giveaway #Concert #LosAngeles
@squidgamenetflix Season 3 has entered the arena. @squidgamenetflix Season 3 has entered the arena. 🦑🩸

New players. Higher stakes. And a game that’s more brutal than ever.
The masks return—so does revenge. ⭕️🔺◼️

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/squid-game-season-3-premieres-in-new-york/

✍️: ElizaBeth Taylor 

-
#SquidGame #Season3 #NetflixOriginal #Netflix #TheGameContinues #LeeJungJae #Player456 #WiHaJoon #GongYoo #LeeByungHun
@f1movie crew makes a pitstop in NYC for their wor @f1movie crew makes a pitstop in NYC for their world premiere of their film “F1 The Movie” in Times Square and at Radio City Music Hall. 🏎️💨
-
#BradPitt #JavierBardem #DamsonIdris #AppleCEO #TimCook #JosephKosinski #JerryBruckheimer  #LewisHamilton #HansZimmer #F1 #F1Movie #F1Film
“Love doesn’t always disappear—it just chang “Love doesn’t always disappear—it just changes shape.” 🎶
In our exclusive interview, @yourfavoritecolor opens up about vulnerability, emotional distance, and the story behind their newest single, “Less In Love.”
This one hits different. 🥹

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/exclusive-interview-your-favorite-color-contemplates-connection-on-new-single-less-in-love/

✍️: Eleanor Jacobs

-
#ExclusiveInterview #YourFavoriteColor #LessInLove #IndieMusic
@saiebeauty Art of Glow pop-up bathed the city in @saiebeauty Art of Glow pop-up bathed the city in golden light with vintage lamps, curated cocktails, and radiant beauty moments—all in honor of the iconic Glowy Super Gel. A celebration of luminosity in every form. ✨

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/a-night-to-glow-inside-saies-art-of-glow-celebration/

✍️: Ashley Lopez

-
#SaieBeauty #ArtOfGlow #GlowySuperGel #LAEvents #CleanBeauty #GlowGoals #BeautyMeetsArt #LightUpLA
@mileycyrus steps into her pop opera era with Some @mileycyrus steps into her pop opera era with Something Beautiful — a 55-minute visual album that blurs the line between music, film, and fantasy. Premiered at Tribeca, now playing on the biggest screen: herself. 🎬✨ 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/high-energy-higher-fashion-miley-cyruss-pop-opera-something-beautiful/

✍️: Jesse Kosierowski

-
#MileyCyrus #SomethingBeautiful #VisualAlbum #PopOpera #Tribeca2025 #EditorialMoment #MusicAndFilm #FashionInFilm
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch