New documentary film "Food, Inc."

Discussion in 'The big picture' started by nomadcanuck, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. nomadcanuck

    nomadcanuck Junior Member

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    From Yahoo.ca

    By Kirk Honeycutt

    LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In 1906, Upton Sinclair published his muckraking novel "The Jungle," which exposed corruption, unsanitary conditions and horrifying labor practices in the U.S. meatpacking business. The book caused a sensation that brought about a huge public outcry and considerable reform. More than a century later, "Food, Inc.," a documentary from director-producer Robert Kenner and investigative journalist Eric Schlosser ("Fast Food Nation"), might be "The Jungle" for the 21st century. Things, it seems, have gotten worse in our food supply.

    No question, watching this film is a tough go. Horror films cause less seat-squirming. The challenge faced by Magnolia Pictures is how to bring in the unconverted, meaning those who pooh-pooh the notion that what they eat could possibly be unsafe. Making the film available across several platforms should deliver not only greater returns but a better-educated public that can vote for greater food safety by the way they shop for food.

    Several films, including "Food Fight" and "Fast Food Nation," have explored many of these themes. But none engenders the sense of urgency -- and anger -- that "Food, Inc." does. The main villain is agribusiness, a multicorporation behemoth that controls virtually everything you eat.

    The film, like Sinclair's novel, is an unapologetic exercise in advocacy journalism. However, lest anyone accuse the filmmakers of unfairness, representatives of the corporations that control our food supply were offered time to explain their approach to food safety. Everyone proved camera shy. Worse, the corporations pressured farmers not to give interviews or allow cameras inside food factories. Conditions are that bad.

    But one chicken farmer did cooperate. And hidden cameras got inside a "factory farm." Don't schedule dinner after seeing this film.

    Guided by Schlosser -- who appears on camera, as does fellow food journalist Michael Pollan ("The Omnivore's Dilemma") -- the film explores how food has changed more in a half-century "than in the previous 10,000 years." Despite the farm images that appear on packaged foods, a handful of corporations, not farmers, control our food supply. Governmental regulatory agencies charged with overseeing food safety essentially are toothless because most of the administrators are former -- or future -- food company executives.

    Here is what results: Cattle are fed corn rather than grass because it's cheaper. This has produced new strains of E. coli virus that have stricken thousands and killed hundreds. The processing of animals -- an often cruel process for animals and humans alike -- admits far too many contaminants into the meat supply.

    Government policy favors subsidies for the "wrong calories" in our diet. This has led to epidemics in obesity and diabetes. Because of these policies, the cost of many foods is actually down -- but at the hidden cost of increased medical expenses. Don't flatter yourself if you don't eat fast food: The "system" reaches into everything you eat.

    Kenner takes you through these unsettling stories through a mix of articulate talking heads, cameras peering where Food Inc. doesn't want scrutiny, citizens lobbying their representatives in Congress and entertaining graphics and animation. It's Michael Moore without the self-aggrandizing hyperbole.

    What it's not, though, is discouraging: The film ends by asking people to shop wisely, to support farmers' markets and food produced by organic or sustainable farming methods. If Wal-Mart can change its products and policies because of customer demand, every one of those Food Inc. companies can do likewise.
     
  2. sam_ford

    sam_ford Junior Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    Thanks for posting this Kirk. It seems that the film was shown at the recent Sydney Film Festival - does anyone know if it is showing now in Australia or available on DVD?

    James

    www.randomplantings.com
     
  3. nate_taylor

    nate_taylor Junior Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    My cousin Kim edited this film. In fact my brother supposedly came up with the title. No joke.
    Wish I could afford movie tickets.
     
  4. tamo42

    tamo42 New Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    It's a great movie. My girlfriend went in mildly concerned about environmental issues. She came out asking me questions about worm farms, compositing toilets, and growing our own food :).
     
  5. paradisi

    paradisi Junior Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    not good for the film industry I know - but there are several versions in different languages on the donkey channel

    I won't spell out what the donkey channel is - because some movie companies may try to ban this site for mentioning it

    PM me if you really want to know
     
  6. joena

    joena New Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    Does anyone have a COMPLETE list of all the competitions at Sundance Film Festival? I am doing a project for school so does anyone know a website or just know all of the competitions in the Sundance Film Festival? Like Dramatic, Documentary, etc... please help!
     
  7. paradisi

    paradisi Junior Member

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    Re: New documentary film "Food, Inc."

    joena what does the web site say>??? what did google tell you>>>????

    if its a school project learnign how to answer your own questions is more important than learning how to ask

    sorry.... I'm an old codger but I am still part time at university 30 years after I first left.
     

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