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The Missing Ingredient

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[projekktor id=’24736′]

The Missing Ingredient: What is the Recipe for Success? is a documentary written and directed by Michael Sparaga. The film, which premiered at the DOC NYC festival last year, investigates a wallpaper controversy at an Italian restaurant in New York City.

What makes a restaurant an “institution”? Is it something you can manufacture, or even copy? THE MISSING INGREDIENT follows Manhattan restaurateur Charles Devigne as he makes the bold decision to boost his struggling restaurant’s business by putting up the iconic zebra wallpaper made world-famous by the recently closed New York dining institution Gino’s. His choice sparks controversy when Gino’s previous owners, staff and loyal regulars, still hurting over Gino’s closing, catch wind of his intentions.

“(One) thing that attracted me to this story is the fact that, as a filmmaker, I’m an entrepreneur myself, and this is story about an entrepreneur, someone whose whole life is tied up in his business,” explains Sparaga. “Charles lives with his family above the restaurant. It’s the only home his children have ever known. As Charles says in the film, “If I lose my business, I lose my home.” Stakes rarely get much higher than that. This is something I think a lot of people can relate to. I know I certainly do.”