Planet in Focus - Food on Film

The 20th year of the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival is on this weekend until October 20th, 2019.

I was able to preview 3 of the 4 Food Related Documentaries showing at the festival this year.

I have a soft spot for these documentaries because of my love of all things food and my interest in the sustainability of the food for future generations.

These films are all different but similar in the fact that there is a goal surrounded by what is best for the food industry and the people that are fed by them.

Artifishal

by Josh Murphy

G+ | United States | English | 2019 | 75min | Documentary

This documentary was visually stunning and mezmerizing to watch but also very thought provoking.  It is hard to reconcile the benefits of doing what is good for the environment with feeding people in the future and the battle between the fishermen who know what the costs are to the science and political figures who make the decisions that affect the fishermen and the public.

Setting the Bar: A Craft Chocolate Origin Story

by Tim Shephard

Rated G+/Mexico/English, Spanish/2019/85 min/Documentary

I wasn't able to see this film but I am really looking forward to it because of course anything related to chocolate will be interesting of course.

When Tomatoes Met Wagner

by Marianna Economou

G+ | Greece | English, French, Greek | 2019 | 72min | Documentary

This documentary was a little slower paced on the journey of a small community of people who are trying to produce a product that they want to spread to other countries.  They believed that music affects the quality of their products and they believe their product is superior to others because of the nature of the territory it comes from.  They are very proud of their accomplishment with a few mature women and a determined man with a vision.

SOYALISM

by Enrico Parenti, Stefano Liberti

PG+ | Italy | English, Chinese, Portuguese | 2018 | 65min | Documentary

This film speaks to the fight between large scale production and small scale farming practices and what it costs the communities surrounding the areas that take over large scale farming practices have to deal with on a daily basis.  This film makes you think that there must be a better way of communicating the importance of good practices that are sustainable and beneficial to everyone now and for generations to come.  It's very sad at the destruction caused by greed of people who are only concerned with the money that can be made in the Pork industry.

THE GAME CHANGERS

by Louie Psihoyos

PG+ | United States | English | 2018 | 88min | Documentary

I highly recommend this film.  I saw it over a year ago and was blown away by it.  If you are a meat eater and hate your veggies and think that you need protein to be strong then you need to watch this film because it will change your opinion on what a plant based diet can do for someone's body.

The film is smart, funny and informative and there are many surprises that you will love in this gem of a documentary.

check out Planet in Focus this weekend.   You will be entertained and Inspired.   wWW.PlanetinFocus.org

The Superfood Chain Documentary

THE SUPERFOOD CHAIN

A Feature Documentary by Ann Shin

70 min | 16:9 | 1:1.78 | 5.1 mix | English Subtitles

Screening at Planet in Focus, October 25-28^th, Toronto, Ontario

Do you know where your food comes from?

The SUPERFOOD CHAIN Documentary is a film by Ann Shin that takes a look at the effects of the so called "Super Foods" on the Food Chain and the people who grow and live on these foods and the companies that change the playing field along the way.  Filmed in Bolivia, Ethiopia, Philippines, and Haida Gwaii.  Director Ann Shin speaks to the people who grow and cultivate the food and survive on the food and income from the farming of these Super Foods and how the marketing industry affects a shift in the Chain.  Do you know why you buy your food and where it comes from and what the actions of your purchases affect the farmers that grow the food and the local community that depend on it? This documentary will make you think twice before randomly buying into the hype while shopping in your local grocery store. 

I asked Director/Producer/Wriiter Ann Shin 7 Questions about the film and the Superfood world.

1.  What was the influence in creating the documentary around the Superfood Chain?

As a mom I try to feed my kids healthy foods, and I've been a bit of a sucker when it came to foods marketed as 'superfoods.' I thought serving up superfoods might be a way to get concentrated goodness into the kids. I was serving up quinoa and my youngest daughter scrunched her nose and asked me where this 'squishy stuff' came from and why did she have to eat it? I didn't really have a good answer for that, other than, it's good for you. She was not convinced. So that set us off on a journey of trying to understand where these so-called 'superfoods' come from, whether they're really that good or not, and how our consumption of it affects farmers who cultivate them.

2.  It seemed to me that the title and some of the events in the film were about different things so was what you intended to document changed drastically during filming?  Was there a certain section you had in mind you wanted to discuss? If so, please feel free to let me know.

I can say that I was surprised to learn about the multiple issues faced by the small coconut farmer in Philippines. Not only did they lack the machines required to process coconuts in order to sell them to virgin coconut oil processing companies, but they were even facing eviction from the land they and their families had been living on for generations. 

3.  How long did it take to film the documentary?

2 years 

4.  Was there any push back from local government or businesses?

One of the issues we explored was the pressure on salmon stocks by the 3 competing fisheries: commercial, sport and aboriginal fisheries. Sport fishery companies would not speak about it, but we did manage to get one representative from a commercial fishery to speak about it. 

The issue of the farmers' land rights in Philippines was complicated, and while there wasn't government push back per se, there were two different government bodies each pointing the finger at the other saying it was not their jurisdiction, but the others. So we didn't make much headway there.

5.  What did you think was the most shocking and frustrating thing that you learned in the making of the film?

Global food trends can cause real havoc with food sustainability in growing regions. For example, when quinoa first became popular in North America as a 'superfood' there was a quinoa price boom in Bolivia, which benefitted farmers, but it also made quinoa unaffordable for locals, and created land disputes among people who wanted to start growing quinoa. As quinoa started being planted by large farms in the US, China, Canada and elsewhere, quinoa prices plummeted so now many Bolivian farmers who once grew quinoa crops are no longer growing quinoa. They can't make a living off it.

A second concern is about land rights which is a real issue for farmers in developing countries who have lived on land for generations without necessarily owning land titles. As the country develops, people with business interests can move in and initiate paperwork for titles to land hitherto unclaimed, and then proceed to evict farmers from the land. This is what Susan and her fellow coconut farmers in the Philippines are facing.

6.  What can people do to make a difference in the Superfood Chain of the future?

1) Think sustainability -- think about local, sustainable food alternatives to popular 'superfoods'. For instance, wild caught salmon is a 'superfood' known for having a lot of omega 3 oils. But did you know that sardines and anchovies are much smaller fish that are plentiful, they are more sustainable as a food, and are also high in omega oils.

2) Buy fair trade. I learned that fair trade organizations not only help farmers get paid fairly for their work, but they do other important work like lobby for farmers' land rights and form co-ops to provide small farmers access to processing machinery. It's worth going out of your way to buy fair trade.

7.  Is there anything else you would like people to know about your experience or the people in the film that you couldn't put into the film?

What my daughters and I really benefitted from the journey was getting more connected with our food, and the people who cultivate it. We saw how most superfoods are ancient foods from cultures with traditions around the cultivation and preparation of these foods. The way coconut is infused in so much of the cooking in the Philippines, from soups to breakfast to dessert, it's a natural part of their diet. It's similar with Teff and the local diet in Ethiopia, Quinoa in Bolivia. We got a deeper sense of the connection with the land and the cultural traditions around each food. I think if we all cultivated a deeper connection to the food we eat (that is, find out where it comes from, how it's grown) we will naturally make more sustainable, nutritious and delicious(!) choices.

Here is the link to Ann's website: website   Twitter @FathomFilm    Facebook / FathomFilm Group

www.thesuperfoodchain.com

Modified Documentary - Food, Family and GMO's

Directed/Edited/Produced by Aube Giroux

https://www.modifiedthefilm.com/about

Modified is an award-winning documentary-memoir that asks why genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not labeled on food products in Canada and the United States, despite being labeled in 64 countries around the world. 
Interweaving the personal and the political, the film is anchored in the filmmaker’s relationship to her mother, a gardener and food activist who battled cancer during the film's production. Their intimate mother-daughter investigative journey, fueled by a shared love of food, reveals the extent to which the agribusiness industry controls our food policies, making a strong case for a more transparent and sustainable food system. 




I had a chance to see Modified at the Planet in Focus film festival but I didn't have a chance to write about it then because I saw it at the end of the festival but it has lingered in my mind ever since.  This lovely Canadian film really touched my heart for a few reasons.  It was made by a female filmmaker and food blogger who is also grows organic food after learning about Organic gardening from her mother.  

The memoir of her mother plus the beautiful food images resonate with me as my mother grew ill I channelled my energy into film and food as well.

This film is a beautiful tribute to the filmmakers loving mother and also makes a statement about the long term effects of GMO food.

Everyone should see this film because it will make you appreciate your loved ones and how precious life is and how we are affected by the things we eat and are surrounded with.

The film is currently playing at the Imagine Carlton Cinema: 

https://imaginecinemas.com/cinema/carlton-cinema/

Food Docs to check out at Planet in Focus

The Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival takes place this weekend and they have some fantastic Food Documentaries in their program this year.   These are some of the films that will be screened at the festival.  I have seen a few of them and I can tell you that they are worth checking out.

On the Saturday of the festival there will also be a FOOD Panel after a couple of the films during the day at Innis Town Hall.

My recommendation is to make sure you go see WASTED: The Story of Food because you will have this film in your head at every step of your everyday life.

FOOD COOP Thomas Boothe, France, 2016, 97 min
Sitting between the immersive institutional portraiture of Frederick Wiseman and Broad City’s knowing send­up of gentrified Brooklyn, Food Coop offers an engaging and often humorous look at Park Slope’s wildly successful socialist supermarket.

This film is an interesting look at a new way to shop for your weekly groceries and eat better food for less money and at the same time getting to know a like minded community of people.  It has a very New York feel and you will like the different people in the community of Co Op people.

Saturday 21 October, 12:30pm ­ Innis Town Hall
Screens with FIXED! (Cat Mills)

MODIFIED Aube Giroux, Canada, 2017, 86 min[Canadian]
Canadian director Aube Giroux’s first feature, Modified, weaves stories of her participation in citizen led movements to label genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with interviews from activists Jane Goodall and Rachel Parent, and personal narratives of family, gardening, food, health, and loss. A touching and thoughtful film, Modified, is activism inspired by love.

I haven't had a chance to see this one but hoping to see it at the festival on Saturday.  GMO food is something that everyone should be educated on because people estimate that there may not be enough food in the world to feed everyone by 2050 but is GMO food the answer and what will it do to future generations?

Saturday 21 October, 3:45pm ­ Innis Town Hall
Guest: Aube Giroux

WASTED! THE STORY OF FOOD WASTE Anna Chai/Nari Kye, USA, 2017, 85 min
Slick, solution­-oriented, and featuring Anthony Bourdain at his sardonic best, WASTED! The Story of Food Waste is that rare social issue documentary that’s every bit as entertaining as it is informative.

I absolutely loved this film, so much that I watched it intently twice.  I love Anthony Bourdains sarcastic, brutal honesty and his straight forward no B.S. delivery of the reason this film was made.
It  has the same visual appeal as his show Parts Unknown which was Emmy winning.   It also has the great story telling and fact driven intensity that keeps you interested in the subject and the speakers in the film.  I have seen a lot of documentaries so it wasn't extremely shocking for me but for those that aren't as educated about where our food comes from and goes to, it's a real in your face reality check.  I highly recommend you see it with your friends and family because you may have a great discussion about what you are doing everyday and ways to make changes.   Since watching this documentary I have started a Wasted Soup Crockpot that my coworkers have contributed their excess food scraps to and it's been simmering away almost every day for the past 2 weeks.


Saturday 21 October, 6:45pm ­ Innis Town Hall

Screens with THE POACHER (Nicholas Jones) 

DEAD DONKEYS FEAR NO HYENAS Joakim Demmer, Sweden/Germany/Finland, 2017, 80 min
Famine stricken Ethiopia is exporting food to Europe while receiving aid from the World Bank to feed its population. Director Joakim Demmer investigates this scandalous situation, showing how the government has leased or sold bountiful land to foreigners while locals survive on handouts from abroad.

I have not seen this film yet but I have seen the trailer and it looks pretty interesting and kind of eye opening at what goes on with food that is supposed to help people in need.  

Saturday 21 October, 9:30pm ­ Innis Town Hall

Screens with KÉKWU (Sean Stiller)

THE LAST PIG Allison Argo, USA, 2017, 53 min
The Last Pig, by Emmy award­-winning filmmaker Allison Argo, is an intimate reflection on animal treatment, following ethical pig farmer, Bob Comis, as he contemplates his transition out of raising animals for slaughter. The film takes a meditative approach to animal activism.

What happens when a Pig farmer decides he has a crisis of conscience and decides to stop being a Pig Farmer.  The Last Pig is one mans journey to change his life plan and look at what his contribution to the world is.


Sunday 22 October, 2:30pm ­ The Al Green Theatre at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

CAN YOU DIG THIS? Delila Vallot, USA, 2015, 85 min
Self-­described “Gangsta gardeners,” including the charismatic Ron Finley, are leaders in the emerging urban gardening movement springing up in notoriously rough South Los Angeles. These gardeners embrace life and their positive energy permeates the community, changing the meaning of what it is to be gangster.

This film is super inspiring to see people struggle but at the same time 1 person can make a difference just by planting a garden.  With a whole host of characters from low income communities and the champions that take it upon themselves to make a difference.


Sunday 22 October, 7:45pm ­ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Guests: Ron Finlay 

Ron Finley, and executive produced by John Legend. Following the film Finley will be presented with the 2017 International Eco-Hero award and will give an address about his practice.

Also of note there will be a tribute to the late filmmaker Rob Stewart (Sharkwater) who was a friend of the festival.

Planet in Focus - Theatre of Life

My two favourite things in life are Film and Food.  I got to enjoy both of them together at the Opening Night Gala at the Planet in Focus Film Festival.  The Opening Night film at the Bloor Cinema was Theatre of Life, a film about food waste and the people that are less fortunate and effects and solutions made by the Vatican, Chefs, Designers and Artists.  The film was introduced by local Chef Jamie Kennedy and there was a Q&A afterward with local Chef Activist Joshna Maharaj and Director Peter Svatel.

Michelin star Italian Chef chef Massimo Bottura had an idea for a Soup Kitchen and mentioned it to a colleague and then it turned into a whole other thing that brought the World's Top Chefs from around the world to a Gourmet Soup Kitchen in Italy during their Milano Expo 2015.

Peter Svatel

Director Peter Svatel captures the contrast when Celebrity Chefs who's restaurants  can command hundreds of dollars for their meals decide to feed people who are at the other end of the economic spectrum.

Chef Bottura's idea was to repurpose leftover food from the Milan Expo that was donated to the Refettorio Ambrosiano Soup Kitchen. and an army of amazing volunteers and Top Chefs would create gourmet dinners for 100 less fortunate people.

Celebrity chefs such as Rene Redzepi, Ferran Adria, Mario Battali, Alain Ducasse and many others travelled to Milan and took over the kitchen to develop their own spin on the "surplus" food that was rescued each day, mostly things like stale bread and lots of bananas, it would change each day so the chefs needed to be creative with the ingredients.

The film profiles some of the displaced people that the Refettorio feeds as well as the people involved in making it happen.  There is an Italian homeless couple that prefers to sleep in a train station than stay in a shelter.  Another man looks for places to stay but sometimes sleeps in his car that he can no longer afford to pay insurance for.  There are refugees and people with disabilities and those who have just fallen on hard times.  A free meal won't change someone's life, but will provide a chance to meet new people and to have a great meal, a little joy, and a piece of cake.

This small idea from Bottura turned into a movement to use Food Waste to feed people who could not afford to buy food.  Bottura and his wife created a foundation to be able to do more around the world.

Food waste in some places, from farm to table, can sometimes average about 50%.  Half the world is living in poverty, and it makes sense to use some of this waste food to feed hungry people.  It won't fix their life but it will certainly help their quality of life.

They take the Soup Kitchen template to RIO to do it all over again.

I also attend the Opening night party at the 918 Cultural Centre on Bathurst- lovely space. Photos by the films photographer were on sale to raise funds for the foundation.

In keeping with the film's theme, the Opening Night Gala Party featured appetizers made by The Stop Community Food Centre using surplus food donated from the Master Chef TV production.

The film and the gala were really connected to the whole concept of Food Waste, using resources properly to sustain the environment in the world.   Well done Planet in Focus.

You can find out more about Bottura's foundation "Food for Soul":
http://www.foodforsoul.it/cooking-is-a-call-to-act-massimo-bottura/

"Cooking is a Call to Act" - Massimo Bottura

I think that this is the model that should be developed for every large event that generates surplus food.  In Toronto we have Second Harvest that works with local restaurants and others to rescue food and I think it would be great to get amazing chefs involved to elevate the surplus food to feed those in need.  It' would be a win-win situation to ensure long-term sustainability of our food sources.

PLANET IN FOCUS Festival runs from October 18-23, 2016.