Saturday, August 10, 2013

Informative And Alarming Food Documentaries

By Nita McKinney


Food documentaries engage with a subject that everyone can relate to. These informative and entertaining films reveal shocking facts about what we eat. They cover issues such as obesity, industrial agriculture and the ways that everyday foods can harm our health. Here are seven prime examples of the genre that can be downloaded from on-demand movie services.

King Corn (2007) shows how government subsidies encourage the mass production of corn and looks at major role this grain plays in the American diet. The film charts the journey of two friends who set out to grow an acre of corn using modern farming techniques. The subject matter is approached in a compelling way with stop-motion animation used to illustrate complex concepts. Many distressing facts about the population's reliance on corn are revealed.

Killer at Large (2008) takes a straightforward, no nonsense look at the obesity epidemic and its dire consequences. It examines the political and social causes of this national health care crisis. This film investigates how food manufactures have manipulated the US government's official recommendations for diet and exercise. It also examines the evidence that stress and fear contribute to the population's increasing weight.

Food, Inc. (2008) looks inside America's corporate controlled food industry. It investigates how multinational companies overlook health and safety issues in their quest to maximise production and profits. The film shows that livestock, agricultural workers, consumers and the environment are all adversely affected. It also offers examples of good farming practices and explains what individuals can do to make a difference.

Food Matters (2008) examines the connection between the foods people eat and the diseases they develop. It shows how a healthy diet and good nutrition can prevent or treat conditions such as diabetes, depression, heart disease and cancer. The film asserts that the American pharmaceutical industry conspires to perpetuate an unhealthy population in order to maximise their profits. It promotes the use of vitamins and minerals rather than prescription medications.

Dive! (2010) addresses the issue of grocery waste by taking viewers on a tour of trash receptacles. Film maker Jeremy Seifert dives into supermarket dumpsters along with his family and friends. They manage to find plenty of perfectly edible waste and are able to feed themselves on a varied diet of discards. The film makes the point that millions of impoverished and malnourished Americans would benefit if the 50% of produce that ends up in the garbage were diverted to them instead.

Farmageddon (2011) investigates the phenomenon of government raids on small family farms. It explores the relationship between politics and agriculture through interviews with farmers harassed by federal agents. The film reveals that livestock, produce and equipment have been confiscated when no law has been broken. There appears to be a political agenda to protect the monopoly of industrial agriculture and limit consumer choice.

Super Size Me (2004) is one of the most entertaining food documentaries available. After several lawsuits were brought against McDonald's Restaurants for allegedly harming people's health, film-maker Morgan Spurlock decided to test the evidence. He performed an experiment on himself in which he ate nothing but McDonald's menu items for a month. The health outcomes are scary, but the film is full of laugh-out-loud moments.




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