Films About Food That Make You Ponder

 

 

It has been more than a year that we are forced to stay at home. One of the things that we can do to stay sane is to watch films. And here are some ideas of food-related films that you can put on your watching-list; from gripping to inspirational ones. These films will give you new perspectives on how we consume our food and further respect the food. Who knows, next time you are out with friends, you might surprise them by turning into a vegan.

 

 
 

 

FOOD CHOICE (2016)

This eye-opener documentary follows filmmaker Michal Siewierski's journey to explore the impact of food choice on people's health, the planet, and other species' lives in the world. Through this engaging one-and-half hour movie, we learn the misconceptions about food and diet. It exposes the absolute truth about food. There are interviews from world-renowned experts, including; Dr John McDougall, Capitan Paul Watson, Dr Toni Bark and many others who will give us new views on food issues. Food Choice tells us that the animals do have feeling too, which make us think before we consume them!

 
 
 
 
 
 

GLOBAL JUNK FOOD (2016)

An informative and insightful documentary film that brings our attention to un-ethical food practices and the impact of food advertisement on children. Global Junk Food exposes the tactics of brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Domino Pizza in three different countries; Brazil, India and France. The film reveals that each country has different regulation about food. In Europe, food manufacturers have signed up to "responsibility pledges"; promising no added sugar, preservatives, artificial colour or flavour, and not targeting children. However, the manufacturers use this "banned strategy" in the developing worlds and we can see how this game plan works in this movie. 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Related to Global Junk Food, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver talks about how we need to reconsider our choice of food and to give early education about healthy food to children. The video can be watched here. 

H.O.P.E WHAT YOU EAT MATTERS (2016)

"If you want to change the world, look no further than your dinner plate, "according to H.O.P.E What You Eat Matters, a film by Nina Messinger. The film carries a message for people to consider a plant-based diet and emphasises how our actions have a pernicious effect on our lives and on Earth's ability to thrive. In theory, there is more than enough food available to feed people in the world. However, the vast majority of grains and soybeans are not being fed to the people; instead, for animal consumption. This persuasive movie showcases the most unappealing practices of the food industry

 
 
 
 
 
 

KING CORN (2007)

If you love corn or want to know more about corn, or significantly the story behind it, King Corn is the one. A documentary film about two friends, one acre of corn and the subsidised crop that drives our fast-food nation. Cheney and Ellis, the two besties from college, move to the heartland to learn where their food comes from. In Iowa, they plant and grow a bumper crop of America's most productive and most-subsidised grain. The challenge begins when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system, in which they realise there are problems with how we eat and how we farm.

 
 
 
 
 
 

WHAT THE HEALTH (2017)

If you haven't given up your cigarette, this film will give you a glimpse of food vs cigarette. According to Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, the film directors, eating an egg per day is equal to smoking five cigarettes. Although the study presents in the film is somewhat biased and being questioned by a couple of experts, but it is worth and at-times fun to watch. The film claims that there is a conspiracy between the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry as well as various health organisations. This investigative documentary exposes the corruption and the collusion in government and big business that involves big money and further our health at stake.  What The Health is the follow up of the award-winning documentary Cowspiracy. 

The full movie is available to watch on Netflix.

 
 
 
 
 

COWSPIRACY (2014)

From the same directors as What The Health—Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn—Cowspiracy is arguably one of the best food documentaries. Anderson takes us on a journey of discovery to solve the puzzle of climate change and its causes. He unfolds the mystery on-screen through his investigation—sometimes frustrating and sometimes amusing. Not only does our diet have a significant impact on our health, but it also contributes to our carbon and environmental footprint. Cowspiracy peppered with powerful statistic and a creative animated infographic. The film's constant focus is on animal agriculture as the primary industry that destroys our planet.

The full movie is available to watch on Netflix.

 
 
 
 
 

COOKED (2016)

This four-part documentary series was adapted from the book of the same title by Michael Pollan. Each episode named after a different element; fire, water, air and earth and each explores a different aspect of food preparation. It is a pleasant journey to follow Pollan love of food and his sheer passion. According to Pollan, the hustle and bustle of modern life have made most of us forget the art and the pure joy of cooking and spending time in the kitchen. Pollan shows us how to enjoy preparing food, slow cooking and eating delicious foods. Although this documentary doesn't necessarily talk loud about sustainable food, it teaches us to go back to the basic and, as Pollan says, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

The full movie is available to watch on Netflix.

 
 
 
 
 
 

ROTTEN (2018)

Returning with its second season, Rotten explores the gloomy side of the food industry and delves into a different "true crime" of it.  It reveals the adulteration of honey to prisoners in China peel garlic to the rising occurrence of peanut allergies. It is rotten everywhere, and it makes us think, "what we supposed to eat now?" Through this provocative series—with the added layer of dramatic effect—we learn how the money-hungry drives the food industry. The series is enlivened by the confessions from the farmers, consumers and industry representatives who affected by this issue. Rotten gives us an unpretty picture behind the food controversies.

Rotten is available to watch on Netflix.

 
 
 
 
 

Need more idea which sustainable films to watch, read the list here.

 
 
 + Words: Alvia Zuhadmono, Luxiders Magazine 

Sustainable communication student | Sweden-based writer
Connect with her on LinkedIn