Espresso Souls: Inside Brazil’s Quiet Coffee Revolution

In an era when documentaries often chase spectacle with the desperation of a late-day caffeine crash, I AM a Barista takes the opposite approach: it exhales. Timothy Haug’s debut feature is a soft-spoken hymn to the overlooked artisans behind the counter those keepers of conversation and steam who transform bitter beans into daily ritual for millions.

Haug leads us into São Paulo, a metropolis where the hum of espresso machines blends with the pulse of the city. Through a gentle slice-of-life lens, he introduces five baristas whose dedication borders on spiritual practice. They brew, they laugh, they burn fingertips, they perfect their pour-overs like surgeons of flavor.

There’s an undeniable coziness to the documentary, rare these days, like stumbling into a café where no one is in a hurry and everyone remembers your name. The film invites you to linger, to savor, to breathe. It’s the cinematic equivalent of sitting by a window with a warm mug during an unexpected rainstorm.

Haug’s personal connection to Brazil and its coffee culture seeps into every frame. His fascination began in 2012, when he moved to São Paulo.

I AM a Barista lacks a strong stylistic identity; its cinematography sits on the flatter side, more functional than expressive. It feels less like a visual signature and more like a steady hand finding its rhythm. But perhaps that’s part of its charm—a debut filmmaker resisting the instinct to over-stylize and instead choosing honesty.

And honesty, in this case, works. The documentary shines most when it simply exists among its subjects, allowing us to absorb the textures of their routines the grind of beans, the hiss of steam, the chatter of customers drifting in and out. It’s a slow burner, yes. Niche? Absolutely. But cute, warm, and sincere in a way that sticks with you long after the credits fade.

Ultimately, Haug offers something more nourishing than a crash course in espresso: a portrait of passion, discipline, and the quiet dignity of people who devote their lives to a craft that is often invisible until the moment it touches our lips.

As debuts go, I AM a Barista is a modest but meaningful sip.