Theater Of Life
World renowned culinary artist and humanist Massimo Bottura, whose restaurant Osteria Francescana has been voted number one in the world, decided to create a soup kitchen during Milan’s World Fair in 2015. Director Peter Svatek documented the proceedings as sixty of the world’s best chefs joined him to cook for refugees and the homeless of Milan out of the waste food of the Expo.
The soup kitchen is a success in giving those in need a place to ‘break bread’, find a community, and enjoy delicious food. By introducing us to some of the people who frequent the place, Svatek also highlights the harsh realities these individuals experience in their day-to-day.
It is great to see world-renowned chefs do their part in raising awareness about food waste, using gastronomy as a means to do this. The commentary by all chefs is that they need to do more; go beyond their kitchens and serve others outside the usual elite clientele. They clearly point out how wasteful parts of our world have become in terms of food, while other parts live in serious need.
The film leaves one with lots to think about. There is certainly lots of work to be done to reduce food waste, and increase access to food to those who most seriously need it.
Screens: Thurs Oct 20, 6:30pm, Hot Docs Cinema
Theater of Life, Peter Svatek, National Film Board of Canada
10 Billion: What’s On Your Plate
Within the 21st century, the global population will surpass 10 billion, a figure that current methods of agricultural production cannot hope to sustain. Author, filmmaker, and self-proclaimed “food fighter” Valentin Thurn (Taste the Waste) set out in search of solutions to this looming crisis, documenting his discoveries in this film.
This documentary analyzes the issues of overpopulation and scarcity of resources. Although these are not new problems, Thurn’s film is well researched and poses interesting questions along with some possible solutions.
Throughout the film, one understands a bit more about the impact resource scarcity has on all of us. Thurn introduces the audience to scientific research to further explain the issue. With this information, one is forced to consider one’s responsibility in perhaps making a difference within one’s immediate community… if not beyond.
Screens: Sat, Oct 22, 1:00pm, Innis Town Hall
10 Billion – What's On Your Plate? – Trailer from Autlook Filmsales on Vimeo.
Both of these films are accessible for anyone beyond those who are ecologically minded. They are insightful and thought-provoking.
For festival, ticketing and box office information, please visit planetinfocus.org.
