A fourteen-year-old boy’s life in the mountains is about to end as he is soon to enroll in catering school. The institution he attends is renowned for its strict rules: the lessons on cooking, dining etiquette, and religion make each student daily confront their weaknesses, insecurities and skills.

Filming at a prestigious catering college, this hybrid work from director Davide Maldi makes fascinating use of both documentary and fiction techniques. With its keen eye for the minutiae of fine-dining etiquette, The Young Observant is a rich, procedural investigation into of the art of service.