When faced with the prospect of losing the only job he’s ever aspired to have, a young sommelier must decide whether to open up on the anxieties that the very same job is triggering to his seemingly apathetic boss. 

Alex, a reticent, unassured, newcomer to the world of sommeliering, must face divulging his inner strife or continue alone in grappling with the depression that very same world is triggering, when confronted over his lengthy absences from work by Mathilde, his vehement, unfiltered and widely acclaimed Master of Wine boss. With renovations to the modish Soho restaurant, The Premier Cru, soon commencing and Alex hoping to accompany Mathilde to its’ sister restaurant the young Sommelier faces being dismissed from the only job he’s ever dreamt of. 

Alex is a working-class, reserved, 25-year-old from the industrial town of Crewe. The only thing that has ever pushed him is his sole dream to work as a Master of Wine in one of those beautifully muted eateries on the cobbles of Soho where famed clientele from the ranks of politicians and film directors come to dine from the most illustrious corners of London. 

With a seemingly apathetic Master of Wine, Mathilde, to learn from as the junior sommelier and a brutally demanding restauranter to call boss in Benoit, Alex has started to wonder whether those dreams are best kept unattainable. Benoit’s callousness and Mathilde’s coldness have begun driving Alex to depths of anxiety that could be irreparable.

As Mathilde confronts Alex over his tardiness and his unexplained absences, she must confront her own difficult past in hospitality to help guide Alex in the face of the ruthless Benoit. With the restaurant soon having to close for renovations and with only a handful of staff able to move to its sister restaurant, Alex is facing the very real prospect of losing perhaps the only opportunity he’ll ever have of achieving his dreams.

Why

As presented in Film/TV such as Boiling Point or The Bear, we are both interested in the concept of the hospitality industry as a double space. On one hand it is warming and inviting, ‘performing’ a calming atmosphere to draw guests in. However, this is often contrasted with a high-pressure and unrelenting environment lying alongside it, where feelings of isolation or struggles are pushed aside for the sake of the customer.

Amplified by the exclusivity that is commonly associated with the world of sommeliers, we thought this would be a unique lens to show the intensity of these feelings tied so closely to mental health, particularly within the workplace. What are the fronts we put on in our lives for the sake of appearances or for success? Is everyone pretending in one way or another?  Where does this leave room for compassion or kindness?

Themes

Wine

Different wines are used throughout the film as a motif to reflect the growing intensity of Alex’s feelings in the environment he’s in.

Mental Health

Alex’s uncertainty and feelings of isolation in the face of his dreams also echoes the plight many entering London to pursue their ambitions may face. What happens when something you have built up in your mind isn’t what you thought it was? What does it look like when something you love is also the same thing that destroys you? Can these both co-exist?

Setting

The Sommeliers is set within a modish Soho restaurant, a world that is alien and isolating to Alex due to the social barriers and exclusivity that exude from those around him. By presenting Alex's inner thoughts and struggles, The Sommeliers aims to present this industry as one that should be accessible for all, particularly in such a multicultural metropolis as London. Whether that’s due to being priced out of such opportunities or lacking the information of where to go, this is a world that can feel distant to many. The Sommeliers aims to open up the world of dining in Soho no matter your background.  

About Us

Milo Wilkinson-Aboud, Writer/ Director 

Milo works for the production company Studio 99 as an Assistant Producer and has been across the development, production and post-production with titles such as Ronnie O’Sullivan The Edge of Everything, 99 and Beckham. The Sommeliers is Milo’s and Sophie’s second production following the XTV production, The Gig.

Sophie Rankin, Producer

Sophie works for film publicity agency, DDA, working on their digital team across titles that have included Poor Things, All of Us Strangers and The Holdovers. She also studied alongside Milo at university where they met, studying Film and English.

Budget

Thank You

We are so committed to The Sommeliers and incredibly excited to begin production. Any contribution is enormously appreciated.