The Connected Cup

The Connected Cup is a 2019 documentary that charts director Brooke Bierhaus' journey to uncover the life-sustaining narratives and communities built around the practice of drinking coffee. It's not merely about our daily habit of sipping coffee but delves deeper into how the often underappreciated beverage serves as a connecting thread for human relationships across different cultures, economic classes, and geographies around the world. Bierhaus brings this idea to life through her storytelling craft, bestowing upon audiences a thought-provoking perspective of coffee drinking as a metaphor for shared human experiences and connections.

Bierhaus, a journalist and documentary filmmaker, employs her knack for storytelling and keen eye for individual narratives to break down boundaries, challenge stereotypes, and provide viewers an intimate understanding of the diverse coffee cultures around the world. The movie explores everything from the role of coffee in economic structures to its role in fostering shared times and spaces, hence expressing the universality of the drink.

The film features several compelling characters who embody the rich tapestry of people whose lives revolve around coffee. Notable characters include Tirunesh Legas, an Ethiopian coffee farmer, and Leah Lekerimui, a Kenyan barista. These individuals, among others, serve as touchpoints in the documentary, providing first-hand accounts of the impact of coffee on their lives, communities and individual experiences, and offering a deeper insight into the economic and socio-cultural dimensions of coffee.

Tirunesh Legas takes the audience on a journey through the coffee cultivation process from an Ethiopian perspective, which is not only one of the regions where coffee originated, but is also renowned for its unique and intricate coffee ceremonies that are deeply entwined with social interactions and community life. Her narrative underlines how coffee cultivation sustains many individuals and communities economically, serving as their main source of income.

On the other hand, Leah Lekerimui offers a rich insight into the coffee brewing process and its valued role in the hospitality industry. By highlighting her role as a barista, the documentary unveils the significance of baristas in providing a memorable coffee drinking experience and their contribution to creating inviting spaces for people to connect and converse. Her story also brings to light the realities of modern coffee culture, illustrating its evolution from being a traditional household staple to a burgeoning industry in the urban context.

The Connected Cup strikingly juxtaposes the disparities in different coffee cultures – between countries, cities, and even individual coffee houses - while emphasizing the universal constant which is the affiliating power of coffee. Bierhaus flawlessly weaves together these seemingly disparate elements to present a global perspective on coffee culture.

Aside from the captivating narratives and insightful perspectives, the film is aesthetically pleasing, boasting vivid cinematography that superbly captures the essence of the locales visited - the coffee plantations, the cityscapes, and the quiet morning huddle at cafes. The movie proffers a visual treat, with imagery evoking the warmth and intimacy of sharing a cup of coffee.

Through interviews, personal narratives, and observational footage, the film creates a dialogue, fostering an understanding about the interconnectedness of our world and the simple yet profound ways in which a common habit connects us all. It offers a new lens through which to view coffee - not just as a beloved beverage that jumpstarts our days, but as a uniting force echoing shared human experiences and bridging societal divides.

Telling the story of the global journey of coffee from bean to brew, The Connected Cup reiterates the importance of acknowledging and understanding where and how the things we consume daily come into existence. It sheds light on the backstories of the people and processes involved in something as common and seemingly simple as the coffee we drink.

A compelling blend of sociology, economy, gastronomy, and human stories, The Connected Cup is an exploratory journey rooted in the belief that even in our differences, we share common grounds, quite literally over a cup of coffee.