Posts Tagged ‘Food Inc.’
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, February 7th, 2011
Are you hungry for a change? That is the primary question the movie Food Inc. poses, while shining a bright light on modern agriculture. Food-borne illnesses and recalls have become far too common in our society. Farmers are constantly being disrespected by greedy and impatient corporations. It makes no economical sense to buy organic food anymore, but we must take a stand. These companies that sell us our food must be held accountable. They will change at some point if they are forced to. We have the purchasing power to make that happen in the future.
Theatrically released in June of 2009, Food Inc. was so critically acclaimed that it received an Oscar nomination last year. Director Robert Kenner devoted six years of his life researching a widespread problem in order to raise awareness in his film. It explores the food industry’s detrimental effects on our environment and health. He interviews those who are trying to reform an industry where monopolies, political ties, illegal activity, and outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli are becoming more commonplace. All of which is made possible by the government, who subsidizes crops like corn. Most of what you will find in grocery stores is re-engineered corn starch. Freedom of speech and choice are now more at risk than they ever were before in this country.
This movie is not really for the faint of heart, especially when the meat industry is explored at length. You will learn that ignorance is not necessarily always bliss. Knowledge is power, and enlightened consumers can make a difference. Support the brands that go the extra mile to do the right thing. We cast our vote for them in a sense every time we purchase their products. Stonyfield Farms is one of the companies that Kenner profiles, but there are many others. Chipotle prides itself on the way their meat was raised, and some locations actually screened the movie last year. Food with integrity should be everyone’s slogan. Let’s make it happen.
Below is the trailer, courtesy of YouTube. Netflix subscribers can instantly stream it online.
-Ryan Robertson
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010
The 82nd Academy Awards nominations were announced today. Five food-related films are contenders for the coveted Oscars in five different categories.
Image: Boston Grub Street
-The Cove for Documentary Feature
-Fantastic Mr. Fox for Animated Feature Film and Music, Original Score
-Food, Inc for Documentary Feature
-French Roast for Short Film
-Julie & Julia for Actress in a Leading Role (Meryl Streep as Julia Child)
The Cove (Official Selection at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival) exposes the true story behind the dolphin capture trade industry in Taiji, Japan, the mercury levels in dolphins, and how dolphin meat is deceptively sold as whale meat to Japanese school systems.
Fantastic Mr. Fox is the Wes Anderson adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel. It is the story of Mr. Fox, a chicken thief turned responsible writer, who reverts back to his old ways and leads his neighbors into stealing from local farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. Fantastic Mr. Fox is currently playing at University Mall Theaters in Fairfax, VA.
Food, Inc examines the way large corporations dominate the food industry and affect what consumers can afford and eat. The movie features Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms in Swoope, VA.
French Roast is the story of a businessman who discovers he has lost his wallet while drinking coffee in a Parisian café. The eight minute film can be viewed on below or on youtube.
Julie & Julia is the story of blogger Julie Powell’s 2002 goal to cook all the recipes found within Julia Child’s first book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” A replica of Julia’s kitchen plays a starring role in the film. To see the real kitchen that was donated by Julia to the Smithsonian in 2001, visit the National Museum of American History where it is on permanent display. Or take on Julie’s quest by tackling Julia’s recipes one week at a time.
Why not feed your brain by hosting an Oscars viewing party prior to the awards show, which airs Sunday, March 7 at 5p.m. Eastern on ABC.
–Aisha Salazar
Food, Inc. Aims to Feed Your Head
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
The documentarian drumbeat against industrial eating complexes continues this summer with the upcoming release of Food, Inc.:
(Video: Magnolia Pictures)
NoVA locavores may have recognized Polyface Farm principal Joel Salatin spouting off in the above trailer, as the so-proclaimed “grass farmer” has been catapulted to the forefront of the sustainable agriculture movement following his near-messianic role in Michael Pollan’s “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.”
In Food, Inc., Salatin waxes philosophic about what elected officials SHOULD busy themselves with when it comes to our food supply:
Imagine what it would be if, as a national policy, the idea would be to have such nutritionally dense food that people actually felt better, had more energy and weren’t sick as much? Now, you see, that’s a noble goal!
Food Inc. is set to premiere locally Friday, June 19 at D.C.’s E Street Cinema and AMC Loews Shirlington 7.
Meanwhile, Food, Inc. co-producer and food journalist Eric Schlosser will most likely take a drubbing for his pinko dining habits on tonight’s Colbert Report.
-Warren