Of Food and Filmmaking

Food Sustainability Takes Over the Cinema

In this cold and rainy season, there is no better way to spend an evening than to sit back with some organic popcorn and enjoy a good movie. I know I am supposed to be dishing out advice on food, not films, but I figure no one would mind hearing about the new best hits in environmental cinema. The truth is, there has been a recent surge in food sustainability documentaries that most definitely merits a place on this blog. Here are some of my favorites.

Perhaps the most popular film in this arena is Food, Inc., released in June last year and featuring many well-known food sustainability stars, such as UC Berkeley’s own Michael Pollan. In Food, Inc., director Robert Kenner exposes many hidden truths of the American food industry in a tour from industrial feedlot to supermarket to fast food joint. Experts such as Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and In Defense of Food, and Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, also share their views and insights into the world of Agriculture and sustainability. The film also takes on a more personal approach by interviewing a poor family that cannot afford healthy produce, and a woman who has been fighting for new food safety regulations ever since her son died of food poisoning years ago.

Another environmental documentary released recently was Meat the Truth, the work of Marianne Thieme. This film is an effort to showcase the role that livestock farming has on global warming. Thieme did extensive research into the levels of greenhouse gases emitted by American feedlots. Among other statistics, she claims that if all Americans gave up meat for just one day a week it would be equivalent to taking nearly 20 million cars off the road for a full year. Most people see transportation, large industries, and household appliances as the major contributors to global warming, but Meat the Truth exposes how large a part meat production plays as well.

For a healthy shot of inspiration, join the Fresh movement by attending a screening near you. Ana Jones created Fresh as a documentary highlighting the many positive efforts that are currently being taken to clean up the food industry and reduce our country’s carbon footprint through sustainable agriculture. Joanes interviews farmers, grocery store owners, activists, and others who have fought the increasing industrialization of the US food system. These ordinary heroes have come up with sustainable alternatives to the average food choices that are healthier, safer, and lead to less pollution and environmental degradation.

Finally, for all of you Bay Area folks who want to see a change here at home, stay tuned for the upcoming documentary Edible City. This inspiring movie showcases San Francisco’s very own pioneers in urban farming. Yes, it is possible to grow your own vegetables in a major city. It is possible to raise chickens and goats and sell fresh produce to your neighbors. Edible City provides a glimpse of what is hopefully just the beginning of a powerful new movement towards local food and urban farming.

~Sara