MOVIE REVIEW FOOD INC. 2
Powerful Documentary Exposes the Fragility of Our Food System Through Their Sequel
Food Inc. 2 is a documentary that uses the lens of modern-day problems and the COVID crisis to further the message from the first Food Inc that our food system needs change and it needs it now. This movie tackles hard-to-hear issues about our society and the capitalistic brainwashing that we are all under. Even though these seem like complicated issues the way the documentary uses, animation, interviews, and structure of sectioned themes broken up over 20-minute intervals makes the information digestible for all audiences over the age of 15 (I wouldn’t recommend children seeing this under the age of 13 due to the graphic images of animal abuse). Nevertheless, this film is essential for everyone to see since we all are contributors to our food system.
This documentary is purposely constructed to make you question the system surrounding our everyday needs. The main message the directors Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo are trying to convey is that we need to be more critical of the systems around us. Even though there is a new food movement (that they mention at the beginning) and efforts are being made, these directors still created this documentary. Why? You might ask, because even though these efforts are there it's not enough. Most of these solutions still push the capitalistic system that has made this mess in the first place and the directors are trying to convey this.
Before watching this documentary I knew some of this information due to my educational background in sustainability and food systems. Subjects such as the effects of junk food (mentioned in the film) are important issues but I feel are overstated in food documentaries. Therefore, I expected to see more on issues that are not as mainstream which to some extent this documentary did do. It still touches on issues that were also talked about in Food Inc. such as money-hungry corporations, environmental impacts, and health issues but it takes a fresh look at them through COVID exposing the fragility of our food system. Even though there are some reinstated or well-known issues discussed I think reinstating and reformulating these arguments make them stronger
This documentary seeks solutions to the US’s consolidated and unethical industrialized food system through interviews with regenerative farmers, workers' rights advocates, food producers, and government officials including U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester. These innovators are trying to fight the capitalistic mindsets that are destroying our environment through sustainable actions to create a better future for our world. This documentary is mostly filmed in the United States but also has a segment in Brazil that describes the globalization of fast food and how they are resisting these monopolies. Even though this documentary is broken up into many different segments all of them come together under one main theme of revealing and resisting our broken food system.
The film does a great way of illustrating a larger story of the US’s consolidated and unethical industrialized food system through individual stories of real-life people. This creates an emotional connection to our food system that is extremely lacking in everyday life. When looking at factories and industrialization in the film the directors use fast pace music and sped-up video clips to create anxiety and a feeling of fast or rushness. This gives the audience a sense of urgency to the issue and a feeling of uneasiness when looking at the problems in our food system. Color saturation is also used to show the difference between industrial and alternative sustainable food systems. Specifically by making the film more grey when looking at industrial images and more colorful/ brighter when looking at sustainable food. This pushes the main theme that the industrial food system is bad through imagery; dark photos can symbolize evil or darkness, and the color saturation of bright yellows, oranges, and greens can symbolize life or happiness. All of these effects allow for a more immersive and engaging experience.
I believe that this documentary should be seen by all, especially people who don’t know a lot about our food system. This documentary is provocative but for watchers who have seen Food Inc, it might not be as engaging since it has a lot of themes that were discussed before. Nevertheless, the film shows a pessimistic view of our food system through emotional stories making it impactful for anyone who has a heart. However, don’t be discouraged this documentary leaves you with hope that there is a way to resist the industrial food system and a way to create real change. Even though our food system is a mess the food we eat doesn't necessarily have to come with a bad aftertaste
Credit:
Participant Media & River Road Entertainment present ; a film by Robert Kenner ; producers, Robert Kenner, Elise Pearlstein ; writers, Robert Kenner, Elise Pearlstein, Kim Roberts ; directed by Robert Kenner. Food, Inc. [Los Angeles, CA] :Magnolia Home Entertainment, 2009
