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Percy (2020 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Percy' (also known as 'Percy vs Goliath') is a 2020 Canadian-American-Indian biographical drama film, directed by Clark Johnson from a screenplay by Garfield Lindsay Miller and Hilary Pryor. It stars Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci, Zach Braff, Luke Kirby, Adam Beach, Martin Donovan, Roberta Maxwell and Peter Stebbings. The film follows 70-year-old small-town Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser, who takes on a giant corporation after their GMOs interfere with his crops.

The film premiered at the 2020 Quebec City Film Festival and it was theatrically released in Canada by Mongrel Media on October 9, 2020.

Plot



Based on the events of Schmeiser Vs. Monsanto, Percy Schmeiser was a Saskatchewan canola farmer that received a legal action from Monsanto. It has been determined that Percy's fields contained Monsanto's Roundup resistant crops and accused of intellectual property theft. He unknowingly planted seeds that belonged to Monsanto during 1997; Monsanto wants all his seeds and profits he made with his work the following year. Percy was a seed saver and didn't use Monsanto's seeds, but he had neighbors that did and believe this was a case of contamination. Getting legal help from local lawyer Jackson Weaver, it was a losing battle as the laws favor Monsanto.

Percy's life begins to suffer under the weight of Monsanto. He and his family have become the community's pariah and his debts are mounting. Rebecca Salcau, a representative of the People's Environmental Protect (PEP) offered to help, but it would mean Percy would have to publicly speak against Monsanto to gain media attention and earn revenue to fund his fight. Initially resistant in making this into a public spectacle, Percy was enraged how Monsanto's men have been following him and destroying his reputation by labeling him a thief. Fired up, Percy began engaging in public speaking events against Monsanto.

Percy's public speaking and media exposure began to take a life of its own. People throughout the world began offering donations and letters of support. As the fight against Monsanto continues, Percy realizes his situation isn't unique and a global concern. While speaking at India, Percy learned the devastating effect that agribusiness had caused, especially farmers committing suicide over severe debt and ruined lives. When he got back home, his wife has been hospitalized from a broken arm and it seems they're slated to lose again.

Jackson doesn't believe they'll win, but was obligated to advise Percy can still appeal to the supreme court. Rebecca's own people can't financially support Percy anymore and withdrew their support. Percy was ready to admit defeat, but with the encouragement of his wife, he decided to appeal to the supreme court. When Jackson learned about Percy's decision to fight, Jackson offered his letter of resignation; Percy ripped it up and they went straight to work. Ultimately, the supreme court determined Percy can keep his farm, but would have to give up all his Roundup Ready seeds to Monsanto. With his home saved, the town now sees Percy in a better light and he returned Monsanto their property to end this chapter. Rebecca came to tell Percy that his fight with Monsanto convinced Canadian farmers to not grow Monsanto's GMO wheat and US farmers followed suit, halting Monsanto's hold on wheat production. Percy would resume his farmer's life, getting ready for the next season and his granddaughter excited to take it over one day.

Cast



* Christopher Walken as Percy Schmeiser

* Christina Ricci as Rebecca Salcau

* Zach Braff as Jackson Weaver

* Luke Kirby as Peter Schmeiser

* Adam Beach as Alton Kelly

* Martin Donovan as Rick Aarons

* Roberta Maxwell as Louise Schmeiser

Production



In September 2018, Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci, Luke Kirby, Adam Beach, Martin Donovan, Roberta Maxwell, Peter Stebbings and Zach Braff joined the cast of the film, with Clark Johnson directing from a screenplay by Garfield Lindsay Miller and Hilary Pryor. Principal photography began in Winnipeg that same month.

Reception



On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has approval rating, based on reviews, with an average rating of . The website's consensus reads, "'Percy vs Goliath' teeters toward heavy-handed messaging, but Christopher Walken's work in the central role helps keep this fact-based story upright."

References




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