Movies About Food

From Graham Meriwether, starring Fred Kirschenmann, Daniel Salatin, Joel Salatin, Paul Willis
Rated Not Rated

American Meat is a documentary film directed by Graham Meriwether that explores the problems facing the US food system and the many ways that small family farmers are innovating to create a sustainable and humane alternative. The film follows the stories of several farmers in different parts of the country, from the Midwest to the Northeast, who are attempting to make a living by producing meat, dairy and eggs through humane and sustainable practices. Through interviews, vignettes and reenactments, the film highlights the struggles that small farmers face in a system designed to favor industrial production, the environmental and health impacts of the industrial food system, and how certain practices such as rotational grazing can lead to healthier and more humane animal husbandry. Ultimately, the film argues that small-scale, sustainable farming offers an alternative path that is not only healthier for people and animals, but can also provide a more secure economic future for family farmers.

From Mark Devries, starring Steven Best, Richard Dawkins, Gary Francione, Bruce Friedrich
Rated Not Rated

Speciesism: The Movie is a 2013 documentary directed by Mark Devries that examines the human superiority complex in regards to animals. The film explores the idea of speciesism, a prejudice or attitude of bias in favor of the interests of the members of one's own species and against those of members of other species. Devries interviews animal rights advocates, scientists, and factory farm workers, and visits a variety of animal-related establishments around the country in order to provide a comprehensive look into the issue. The film ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to become active in the fight against speciesism.

From Robert Kenner, starring Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards
Rated PG

Food, Inc. is a documentary directed by Robert Kenner that examines the corporate-controlled food industry and its impact on human health, the environment, and the lives of both workers and animals. It focuses on the practices of large food companies such as Tyson, Perdue, and Monsanto, and how their practices have led to food insecurity, the mistreatment of animals, and the exploitation of cheap labor. It also examines the effects of recent changes in food production, such as the industrialization of animal agriculture and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), on the global food system. The film is a powerful indictment of an industry that puts profits before people and the environment, and it raises important questions about the future of our food system.

From Lee Fulkerson, starring Lee Fulkerson, Matthew Lederman, Alona Pulde, T. Colin Campbell
Rated PG

Forks Over Knives is a 2011 American documentary film that examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods. The film follows the personal journeys of a pair of pioneering but under-appreciated researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, as they examine the link between nutrition and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Through interviews with top medical experts and researchers, as well as heart-wrenching testimonials from people struggling with chronic diseases, the film presents an argument that is revolutionary yet simple: that we can take control of our health simply by changing what we eat.

From Deborah Koons Garcia, starring Charles Benbrook, Grace Booth, George W. Bush, Ignacio Chapela
Rated Not Rated

The Future of Food (2004) is a documentary by director Deborah Koons Garcia exploring the issues surrounding the food industry and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The film examines the potential risks posed by the increasing use of GMOs in the food we eat, including their effects on health, the environment, and the global food supply. It looks at the potential for corporate control over the food industry and the potential for food insecurity in vulnerable countries. The film also addresses the patenting of life forms and the need for greater transparency and public involvement in decisions about food production. It features interviews with experts from a range of backgrounds, including farmers, activists, scientists, and government regulators. The film ultimately argues for greater public awareness and regulation of the food industry and the need for consumers to take responsibility for their food choices.

From Agnès Varda, starring François Wertheimer, Agnès Varda, Jean La Planche, Bodan Litnanski
Rated Not Rated

The Gleaners & I is a 2000 French documentary film directed by Agnès Varda about the practice of gleaners, people who pick up leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested. The film follows Varda as she travels around France, meeting people who scavenge for food and materials, and exploring the various meanings gleaners have in different contexts. She also interviews scholars and philosophers who discuss the history of gleaners, their contemporary relevance, and the implications of their activities. The film is ultimately an exploration of the concept of gleaning and its implications for society, as well as a celebration of the people who live by it.

From Stephanie Soechtig, starring Michele Simon, Katie Couric, Bill Clinton, Michael Pollan
Rated PG

Fed Up is a 2014 American documentary film directed by Stephanie Soechtig and co-produced by Katie Couric. The film examines the causes of the obesity epidemic in the United States and highlights the effects of the food industry and its marketing practices on the dietary habits of American consumers. It focuses on the notion that much of the processed food consumed by Americans is "hyper-palatable" and full of sugar, fat, and salt. The film also points out the role of the government in subsidizing unhealthy food, while also promoting the consumption of healthy food. Finally, the film examines the efforts of food companies to increase their profits by targeting children, and how this is contributing to an increase in childhood obesity. Ultimately, the film argues that the government, the food industry, and the media have all failed to address the obesity epidemic.

From Nikolaus Geyrhalter, starring Claus Hansen Petz, Arkadiusz Rydellek, Barbara Hinz, Renata Wypchlo
Rated Not Rated

Our Daily Bread is a 2005 documentary directed by Nikolaus Geyrhalter. The film offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the large-scale processes and technologies involved in producing our food. It follows the steps of food production from the field to the processing plant and to the grocery store shelves. The film does not take a political stance on the issue of food production, but rather provides a candid view of the many workers, machines, and processes involved in creating the food that we consume everyday. It also provides a glimpse into the lives of those who work in food production and the realities of their work. The film is a unique and thought-provoking look at the modern food industry.

From Directors: Joe Cross, Kurt Engfehr, starring Joe Cross, Amy Badberg, Merv Cross, Virginia Cross
Rated Not Rated

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead is a 2010 documentary film which follows Joe Cross on a personal mission to regain his health. Cross, who is morbidly obese and suffering from an autoimmune disease, embarks on a 60-day juice fast in order to turn his life around. Along the way, he meets Phil Staples, an overweight truck driver from Austin, Texas, who decides to join him on his journey. Throughout the film, Cross and Staples develop a deep bond as they explore their innermost feelings and motivations in pursuit of better health. As their fast progresses, the two men discover the power of the human spirit, and in the process, inspire others to make changes in their own lives.

From Stephanie Black, starring Belinda Becker, Buju Banton, Horst Köhler, Michael Manley
Rated Not Rated

Life and Debt is a documentary film directed by Stephanie Black that explores the economic and socio-political implications of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's policies in Jamaica. The film follows the story of a Jamaican farmer, a tourist, and a factory worker as they struggle to cope with the economic hardships caused by the policy of Structural Adjustment. The film examines the results of globalization and the unfairness of its effects on the people of Jamaica. It also looks at how the IMF and World Bank's policies have led to increased poverty, unemployment, and crime. Through interviews with government officials, academics, and everyday Jamaicans, the film argues that the policies of Structural Adjustment have not only caused economic and social harm to Jamaica, but have also failed to deliver on their stated goal of economic growth. Ultimately, the film is a testament to the power of globalization and its negative impacts on the lives of everyday people.

From Bill Haney, starring Paul Newman, Christopher Hartley
Rated Unrated

The Price of Sugar is a 2007 documentary directed by Bill Haney. It tells the story of the exploitation of Haitian migrant workers on the Dominican Republic's sugarcane plantations. The film follows Father Christopher Hartley, a Spanish priest tasked by the Vatican to improve the lives of these workers, as he works to bring attention to their plight. The film examines the long history of exploitation of Haitian workers, the role of the Dominican government and the Dominican military in perpetuating the exploitation, and the efforts of Hartley and others to bring change. The film is an eye-opening expose of the global economy and the human cost of cheap sugar.

From Directors: Irena Salina, Dan Berger, starring Bill Alexander, Maude Barlow, Basil Bold, Shelly Brime
Rated TV-Y7

Flow: For Love of Water is a 2008 documentary film directed by Irena Salina and Dan Berger. The film examines the politics and power surrounding the growing global water crisis. It explores the privatization of water, the commodification of water resources, the effects of pollution and corporate greed, and the human right to clean water. It features interviews with experts from around the world, including water activists, scientists, and politicians, as well as heartbreaking stories from those impacted by water shortages. The film also highlights successful examples of local water management and water rights campaigns. Ultimately, Flow: For Love of Water argues for the importance of protecting water as a basic human right, and for the need for public consciousness and action to ensure access to clean water for everyone.

From Taggart Siegel, starring John Peterson, Anna Nielsen, John Edwards, Lester Peterson
Rated Not Rated

From Damon Gameau, starring Damon Gameau, Hugh Jackman, Milla Bakaitis, Richard Davies
Rated Not Rated

From Morgan Spurlock, starring Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu-Rmaileh
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Ken Loach, Franny Armstrong, starring Helen Steel, Dave Morris, Bruce Alexander, Anita Anand
Rated Not Rated

From Sanjay Rawal, starring Eve Ensler, Barry Estabrook, Dolores Huerta, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Rated Not Rated

From Aaron Woolf, starring Bob Bledsoe, Earl L. Butz, Dawn Cheney, Ian Cheney
Rated Unrated

From Kristin Canty, starring Linda Faillace, Adam Helfer, Mark McAfee, Joel Salatin
Rated Unrated

From Jean-Paul Jaud, starring Star: Perico Légasse
Rated TV-G

From James Moll, starring Brad Bellah, Leighton Cooley, David Loberg, Sutton Morgan
Rated TV-G