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Will You Check Out Food, Inc.?

But I wasn't. Nothing about its "Alliances" (or it's "Issues") screams vegan, or even whispers it, but I shall reserve judgment. If more people eat actual food as a result (i.e., less processed food and more fresh, organic fruits, veggies, grains and legumes), than I'm thrilled. If it steers (sorry about the pun) people toward animals raised in places other than factory farms, where they will still be killed, I'm not thrilled.

My guess is I'll get some of both.

If you've seen it at a festival, let us know how it was!

Finally, are you convinced that there's nothing in it for you and the message you live by? Will you not check it out?

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12 Comments Post a comment
  1. Nick #

    My girlfriend saw this at a festival and said it was totally pro-happy meat. It's just a bunch of speciesist, Michael Pollan nonsense.

    May 29, 2009
  2. Elaine Vigneault #

    I saw it and recommend it because it shows images from factory farms. That alone makes the film pro-vegan. It's funny, because even though it doesn't mention veganism, vegetarianism, animal rights or anything like that in the film anywhere AND it promotes happy meat, omnis came out of that movie saying it supported veganism. They said they're going to think twice about eating animals from now on.

    May 29, 2009
  3. Beaelliott #

    …"it supported veganism. They said they're going to think twice about eating animals from now on".

    Yes… I'm definately going to watch/recommend. We all want others to be mindful. And we all know what we want them to think about… Anything that gets them to THINK! Or… at least even to want to think…

    The more I proceed into my vegan journey and cause for animal rights -the more I'm beginning to recognize (concede) that speciesim is the most avoided topic for thought there is. Most people are just not even aware… let alone do they want to re-evaluate their justifications for their "entitlements".

    So if FoodInc leans towards this direction; I'm thankful for all the help I can stand.

    Sure, I want to correct people (and do), if they are disillusioned about happy/freerange/myth meat. But, at the same time… I don't want to close the dialogue that there is a better (right) way. It's a fine line to dance… and I'm not always as graceful as I wish I were… But on this most difficult subject, people have to be gently guided. And my only hope is that they will have the courage to call upon reason for their answers.

    FoodInc is just another (necessary) two-step down that road.

    May 30, 2009
  4. Bea Elliott #

    Pollan is interviewed by Bill Maher regarding FoodInc.

    June 1, 2009
  5. KillerTofu #

    That movie is bullshit. It's all about machismo and how we should support local meat. There is a scene in the movie that lasts about five minutes showing farmers killing "happy" chickens. It was one of the most horrible scenes of animal death I have ever seen. By supporting this movie you are supporting the idea that eating local meat is okay, which isn't vegan at all… fuck that shit.
    I went to this movie with a bunch of other vegans, and we all thought it was crap.

    June 1, 2009
  6. Beaelliott #

    From Women's Wear Daily there's an interesting interview with director Robert Kenner:
    “Food corporations don’t want us thinking about food. They don’t want to talk about it; they obviously don’t want us looking in. They are really into promoting that myth that [our food] comes from farms with white picket fences with red barns.”

    Viewers witness factory farms wall to wall with immobile, breast-heavy chickens and pigs that get no exercise other than their walk to slaughter. “Green Acres” this is not.

    Again, I think anything that gets people to think about where/how/who their food comes from is a step in the right direction. The thinking and the talking about it has to begin somewhere… Not every message is going to be exactly as we'd have it – but any effort to end the silence has got to be a positive start…

    June 3, 2009
  7. Nick #

    I couldn't disagree with you more, Bea and Elaine. How can a movie that glorifies the slaughtering of animals help our cause? It represents the antithesis of the animal rights position.

    June 3, 2009
  8. Nick #

    Plus, why encourage people to see this when they could be watching Earthlings?

    June 3, 2009
  9. Mary Martin #

    Stonyfield Farms just sent an e-mail encouraging me to see Food Inc., which tells me a lot.

    June 4, 2009
  10. Bea Elliott #

    Hi Nick… I haven't seen the movie – so I don't know that it "glorifies" slaughtering animals. Certainly if it takes that approach I'd feel much differently.

    My impression is that it closely inspects large food systems – and exposes the truth that 95% of the flesh people consume come from factory like conditions. It is only giving an objective presentation if it shows "happy" meat as well, as that "alternative" does exist as well…

    Without seeing it – of course my first choice of movies to recommend would be Earthlings, Peaceful Kingdom, Cow at My Table, etc. But many view these films to be based in emotional bias… If however, this FoodInc is a project that will convey a message grounded in fact – that at least may get people to think.

    Because there's sufficient controversy in this film, I won't mention it to any till I see it first. If it "glorifies" animal slaughter it's on my no list… But, if it shows that this is the "necessary" step if one insists on eating flesh – then maybe they need to at least see what is required to do such…

    I don't think wanting transparency is the antithesis of Animal Rights.

    Oh… and Eric Schlosser, is also making the circuit and was on Colbert:
    That's a lot of people who are once again reminded… there's poop in the meat; from a thousand different cows. The more "in your face" the subject is… perhaps that will be the less "extreme" veganism appears? Maybe?

    June 5, 2009
  11. Nick #

    Bea, I haven't seen the movie either, but I've heard that they show "happy" chickens being "happily" killed on screen, as a good alternative to factory farmed chickens. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I've heard.

    June 8, 2009
  12. Bea Elliott #

    Nick… "happy" chickens – "happily" killed definately makes a big difference in my support. I was unaware this is what they were presenting. Thanks for the heads up!

    June 9, 2009

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