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Food Chains
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Wikipedia article
'Food Chains' is a 2014 American documentary film about agricultural labor in the United States directed by Sanjay Rawal. It was the Recipient of the 2015 James Beard Foundation Award for Special/Documentary.James Beard Foundation, [http://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/2015-book-broadcast-and-journalism-awards-complete-winner-recap / The 2015 Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards: Complete Winner Recap], 'James Beard Foundation', April 24, 2015
Summary
In Immokalee, Florida, migrant farmworkers pick fruits and vegetables that are sold to large US food wholesalers.Dave McNary, [https://variety.com/2014/film/news/eva-longorias-food-chains-documentary-getting-u-s-distribution-1201150552/ Eva Longorias Food Chains Documentary Getting U.S. Distribution], 'Variety', March 31, 2014 However, their working conditions are shown to be less than favorable. As a result, they form the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to raise awareness and improve their circumstances.Frank Scheck, [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/food-chains-film-review-751479 'Food Chains': Film Review], 'The Hollywood Reporter', November 24, 2014 Specifically, they go on a hunger strike to pressure Publix, a Florida-based food wholesaler, to pay them one penny more per pound of tomato. Meanwhile, the documentary also shows farmworkers in the vineyards of the Napa Valley.Tara Duggan, [http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/Food-Chains-that-those-who-pick-our-food-get-5911886.php Documentary shows how those who pick our food get a raw deal], 'San Francisco Chronicle', November 25, 2014
Production
The film was produced by actress and Democratic fundraiser Eva Longoria, 'Fast Food Nation' author Eric Schlosser, and heiress Abigail Disney, among others.
It was presented at the Berlin Film Festival, the Tribeca Film Festival and the Napa Valley Film Festival. Shortly after, Screen Media purchased the distribution rights for North America. A Spanish version, narrated by actor Demin Bichir was released.
Critical reception
In a review for 'The Hollywood Reporter', Frank Scheck suggested not much had changed since 'Harvest of Shame', a 1960 documentary about the same topic. He concluded that 'Food Chains' was 'simultaneously inspirational and deeply depressing.' Writing for the 'San Francisco Chronicle', Tara Duggan added that there were 'many chilling moments' in the documentary. In 'The New York Daily News', Elizabeth Weitzman called the documentary 'unsettling,' concluding 'you will certainly leave the theater more enlightened than when you arrived.'.Elizabeth Weitzman, [http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/food-chains-movie-review-article-1.2017981 'Food Chains': Movie Review], 'The New York Daily News', November 20, 2014 Jeannette Catsoulis of the New York Times called the film 'rousing' and 'emphatic and empathetic.'.Jeannette Catsoulis, [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/movies/food-chains-on-tomato-pickers-efforts-to-break-free.html?_r=0 In for a Penny, in for a Pound, and Better Work Conditions], 'The New York Times', November 20, 2014
References
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