By John Corrado

The 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival runs from April 25th to May 5th in Toronto

Barry Avrich’s Born Hungry is a wonderful portrait of Sash Simpson, and his journey from homeless street kid in India to top chef in Toronto. Sash’s earliest memories are of getting lost in India and being unable to find his way back to his parents, before being picked up and sent to an orphanage started by a Canadian woman named Sandra Simpson. Sandra would soon adopt Sash and bring him back to live with her and her husband Lloyd in Toronto, alongside their 31 other kids.

Avrich follows Sash as he returns home to India, travelling from Chennai to Mumbai in search of his birth parents. The trip returns him to the streets where he grew up (including visiting the old movie theatre where he used to sleep and take refuge as a homeless kid), and also allows him to sample authentic Indian food (in one scene, he eats goat brains prepared by a local street chef). This is part of the film’s dual narrative, which also charts his start as a chef at North 44 under Mark McEwan, before leaving to open his own eponymous restaurant; Sash.

Sash’s story is obviously an inspiring one, and he is thankful for the life he has been given. But he also acknowledges that his story is about one in a million, and there are many others from where he has come from who don’t get the same opportunities. In this way, Born Hungry (which was produced by Priyanka Chopra-Jones) becomes as much a celebration of Sandra Simpson, the woman who adopted him and graciously welcomed him into her family, giving him this shot at a better life in Canada.

At 77 minutes, Avrich has crafted a dynamic, always compelling film, that is smoothly edited as it cuts between scenes in Toronto and India, delivering moments of emotional impact. It’s an engaging, moving story about family and second chances.

Film Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)

Born Hungry screens as part of the 2024 Hot Docs Film Festival, more information on tickets and showtimes can be found right here.