Dive

If you’ve ever wondered how a single cup of coffee can carry the weight of a nation’s history, meet James Ladanyi. The director of Specialty, a four-part docuseries, spent years behind the espresso bar before turning his lens on the coffee world of Wellington, New Zealand. His journey—from barista to filmmaker—reveals a craft steeped in struggle, artistry, and quiet rebellion. The series isn’t just about beans; it’s about the people who shape the stories they brew. Ladanyi’s path to filmmaking was paved with coffee. After working as a barista during his undergraduate degree in Wellington and later while pursuing a…