Sea urchins shine in this new documentary
NEW YORK >> They are briny and sweet — once you get past those formidable spines. Biting into one has been likened to kissing a mermaid. Now they are ready for their close-up.
Sea urchins — which contain the prized meat the Japanese call uni — are the subject of a new documentary “The Delicacy,” which explores the complex relationship between humans and these porcupines of the sea.
“I look at this film as a nature documentary about people,” says director Jason Wise, who spent seven years creating his 70-minute ode to the scourge of all recreational swimmers’ feet.
“The Delicacy” features chefs who prize the sea urchin for its delicate, luxurious flesh and the fishermen who catch it by hand. It takes fascinating detours into the world of abalone fishing and the urchin’s deadly rival — sea otters.
“I always find my favorite kinds of stories are ones that are a lot of things about one thing,” said Wise, whose other films include the wine documentary “SOMM” and a doc about showbiz performer Rose Marie.
This time, Wise dove with the
A sea urchin just harvested off the Channel Islands from the documentary “The Delicacy.” Sea urchins — which contain the prized meat the Japanese call uni — are the subject of the new documentary which explores the complex relationship between humans and these porcupines of the sea. It premieres on Thursday, May 7. sea urchin divers off the coast to be filmed. “They don’t stand to of California, but initially faced gain much from being on camsome difficulties convincing them era,” he said.