Viewed in
2010 (2)
Premise
A documentary about how the corporate food industry affects our American way of life.
Who should watch
Anyone who eats.
Thoughts
An amazing film that educated and entertained me.
I considered myself to be above average when it comes to being knowledgeable about how unnatural the majority of our food supply has become, such as animals living in cramped, dirty pens, and that 80% of our diet consumption contains corn. Even so, I was impressed, in fact shocked by how much I did not know.
For example, I learned that even charcoal contains corn, and that chicken are grown so fast that they cannot stand/walk because of brittle bones and muscles. For me, the biggest revelation was just how powerful the handful of companies that control the majority of our food supply are. I do not believe in conspiracy theories, but their super-shady tactics of manipulating their products, the farmers, the poor, the public, and the politicians smelled like one.
Kudos to the film makers for presenting their story clearly and with the human touch. Each chapter had an understandable arc and flow. At first, I thought it was a scattering of stories, but in the end they all tied to the main themes. Amazingly, the film rarely stooped to sensationalism to get their point across. Just in depth research and slick journalism.
While it explored the economical, environmental, political, and ethical impacts of this style of doing business, 'Food, Inc.' also masterfully highlighted the human impacts. They followed the advocate who lost her child to bad meat, the farmers who were financially cornered and bullied by conglomerates, and a poor family struggling to eat healthy within their means.
The coolest character was Joel Salatin, a farmer fighting to keep his convictions. He was smart, articulate, passionate, and frankly, gave me hope that we the consumers have choices. I was also very intrigued by the individuals striving to find the compromise between profit and doing the right thing. Going into the film, I never expected Wal-Mart to be helping the cause.
When we see a burger with a low price tag, we need to recognize that its true price might include mistreated animals, questionable ethics, manipulated natural and human resources, and our health. I'm glad this film enlightened me about this, and I hope it will enlighten you.
This was equally important and excellent. It made me angry, appalled, speechless, and lastly, it made me think a little harder about what I eat and buy. An entity that altered domestic policy, brought hardships to other nations, and even attacked Oprah cannot be ignored.
What I would change
Nothing.
Personal
I found it interesting and eerie that some of the faulty business practices and philosophies that were revealed during the sub-prime market industry were also prevalent with the food industry. This film already claimed that the food industry was the most protected of the special interests. Now that Congress just repealed the hundred-year old regulations, this just gave them even more power. Scary thought.
