This week's version of DVD-MUST-SEE comes from a documentary called Food Inc. As Barrett Goetz recently interviewed the director of The Cartel, Bob Bowdon on theMovieMash.com, I felt it would be a nice segue to an article about another American staple that is also misunderstood like the education system. After watching Food Inc., the 2008 documentary by Robert Kenner, I am sure most of you like myself will be shocked to discover the business of bringing food to American's hungry mouths.
The documentary highlights alarming pieces of the food business like the industrialization of the meat market, the destruction of the old typical farmer in favor of mass producing farmlands, the laws set in place to regulate this very important trade, and even the implications from the rise of the fast food industry. There was not a dull moment in this entire movie for me. I literally spent the duration of Food Inc. in disbelief of the appalling practices of this gigantic and very important industry.
I believe this is a film all Americans need to see to promote understanding of how their food is brought to their plates. Food Inc. shows the monopolistic businesses that run America's meat/agriculture industries and how this is having negative side effects now and even more in the future.
Many of us have not even heard of one of this country's biggest corporations, Monsanto, but after seeing this film none of you will be able to stop yourselves from asking your friends, "Do you know what this corporation Monsanto has done to the agriculture industry?"
Another particular alarming piece from this documentary is how slaughter houses went from hundreds across the nation towards the beginning of the 20th century to under fifteen currently. Food Inc. discusses the transition from the commonality of a neighborhood butcher shop to the assembly line warehouse butchering of today. A butcher used to be a respectable and profitable job; but fast forward to 2010, and it is one of the most dangerous jobs in America that uses cheap laborers.
Robert Kenner definitely did his homework for this three year project to try and create some transparency for the food market most of us know little to nothing about. After seeing this film, you will at least have meaningful knowledge of the trade.
Food Inc. not only brings the audience awareness about issues in the food business, but the film was also nominated for Best Documentary at the 82nd Academy Awards (but lost to The Cove) and has enjoyed critical acclaim receiving a 96% approval rating on RottenTomatoes. This isn't a movie you shouldn't miss, this is a movie that all Americans NEED to see.
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