Subject: FW: Film Critical of GMOs opens SEPTEMBER 30! Special Event Announcement Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 18:54:00 -0500 Message-ID: <BDD0A3EABE40F04A8C7200805EDE5A6A0219F24A@PEPSI.uwec.edu> From: "Nowlan, Robert A." <RANOWLAN@uwec.edu>
Greetings, All: Some of you might find this upcoming screening run, and
guest presentation/discussion -- in Minneapolis -- of interest. The
team behind _The Corporation_ and _The Take_ are definitely committed
progressive activists, and certainly dedicated to networking and
building strong, transformative coalitions and alliances. This should
prove worthwhile for those able to attend--and is a definite possibility
for the progressive film festival some of us have been discussing the
prospect of putting together here in Eau Claire/at UWEC soon.
Best,
Bob Nowlan
-----Original Message-----
From: The Future of Food [mailto:futureoffood@hellocoolworld.com]
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 6:42 PM
To: Nowlan, Robert A.
Subject: Film Critical of GMOs opens SEPTEMBER 30! Special Event
Announcement
Dear Supporters,
As the grassroots team behind the films The Corporation and The Take, we
are excited to be working on our latest project - THE FUTURE OF FOOD - a
groundbreaking documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia. The film is an
alarming expose about the hidden arrival of genetically engineered foods
into our stores and on to our plates, with more than a little help from
the multinational agribusinesses controlling our food supply. Yet the
film is ultimately hopeful, envisioning a future where an informed
consumer can demand healthy food choices, and features insightful and
moving interviews with farmers, scientists and policymakers.
To view the trailer, visit: www.TheFutureofFood.com/trailer.htm
We have just confirmed a new screening that's in your area and are
quickly trying to mobilize support! The Future of Food opens FRIDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30th at BELL AUDITORIUM in MINNEAPOLIS. We've created a poster
about the Minneapolis launch, available to download on our grassroots
toolkit page. Help spread the word and get people into the theater to
watch this important film: www.TheFutureofFood.com/grassroots
For those of you taking part in tomorrow's international day of action
calling for an end to the war in Iraq, this would be a great place to
pass out materials and promote the film! Iraqi farmers are subject to
US-imposed patent laws that make it illegal to save and replant new
seeds, and push for the use of genetically modified varieties. (This
news placed 8th on Project Censored's list of the most overlooked
stories of 2004 to 2005. For more info, see http://projectcensored.org/)
We are also thrilled to announce a special discussion on Sunday, October
2nd after the 7:15 screening of the film. Guest panelists RONNIE CUMMINS
(Author, Genetically Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for
Consumers) and MARK RITCHIE (President, Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy) join filmmaker DEBORAH KOONS GARCIA as they weigh in on
"The Future of Organics".
The Future of Food has already launched in New York and Los Angeles to
sell out crowds and there is a huge buzz building about it. Public
demand is growing to know more about the health and safety concerns
behind GMOs and industrialized agriculture, yet this weekend public
television is airing a Monsanto-sponsored program about American farming
in breach of their own impartiality guidelines.
We would love to see the film do well in Minneapolis and have summarized
all the information below for you to easily cut and paste to email
lists.
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer with outreach for
the film, please email: thefutureoffood@hellocoolworld.com
Thanks for your support!
Cheers,
Chrissy Poulos
Outreach Coordinator for The Future of Food's Grassroots Team
Good Company Communications Inc
(The same folks who brought you The Corporation and The Take)
****Please post the following to all list serves, blogs and any other
relevant areas. If you could volunteer to help out with outreach for the
film, that would be great -- see info at end of e-mail*****
OPENING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30!
THE FUTURE OF FOOD - THEATRICAL RELEASE
A film by Deborah Koons Garcia
Minneapolis, MN - Friday, September 30
Bell Auditorium
10 Church St. SE
(612) 331-3134
www.mnfilmarts.org/bell/
Showtimes:
Mon-Fri: 7:15, 9:15
Sat/Sun: 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15*
*on Sunday, October 2, this screening will be at 10:00pm
"It really gets to the heart of the corporatization of our food system"
The Corporation Co-Director Mark Achbar says: "It's a great film about
the issues. I sent one to my mother."
There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner
tables of America -- a revolution that is transforming the very nature
of the food we eat.
THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing
truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that
have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.
>From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca,
Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods
have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health
implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all
part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of
genetically altered crops into our food supply.
Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, THE FUTURE OF FOOD
examines the complex web of market and political forces that are
changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control
the world's food system. The film also explores alternatives to
large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable
agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.
Eat locally, think globally. See this film.
To view the trailer visit:
www.TheFutureofFood.com/trailer.htm
For more information about the film, visit:
www.TheFutureofFood.com
WHAT THE PRESS HAS TO SAY:
"If you eat food, you need to see The Future of Food."
- Newstarget.com
"Ultimately, the film is a call to action -- for people to think more
about the consequences of their food choices and to use their consumer
power to push for labeling and regulation."
- Carol Ness, San Francisco Chronicle
"There is power in knowledge and that is the importance of The Future of
Food. Deborah Koons Garcia has investigated the implications of GMO's,
and her film is an important tool toward ensuring a healthy world for
everyone."
- Alice Waters, Owner, Chez Panisse
"The Future of Food is an engaging and lucid presentation of not only
the science of genetic engineering, but of the people and the politics
behind what looks to be a pitched battle to control the global food
supply."
- Denise Caruso, AlterNet
"...Not just for food faddists and nutritionists. It is a look at
something we might not want to see: Monsanto, Roundup and
Roundup-resistant seeds, collectively wreaking havoc on American farmers
and our agricultural neighbors around the world."
- The Telluride Daily Planet
SPREAD THE WORD
Help us create a buzz through your activist networks and beyond. In
order for a film to reach the widest audience possible, we are relying
on people to help spread the word via their networks & friends. It is
especially important that people support the film during its first
weekend, as the audience numbers will determine the length of its run in
Minneapolis.
Organize a group to go to the film together this weekend & discuss the
issues afterwards. Contact the theatre for group rates. Customize an
invitation to promote your discussion.
For a detailed schedule of screenings, special events, speakers and
panel discussions, along with cool posters to download and ways you can
support The Future of Food, check out our grassroots page:
www.TheFutureOfFood.com/grassroots
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Sign up and receive updates about the film and the issues here:
www.hellocoolworld.com/FOF/signup/
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Future of Food's grassroots organizing team (Good Company
Communications who also did the campaign for THE CORPORATION) is based
in Vancouver so we need your support in Minneapolis! Help make &
distribute flyers, coordinate volunteers, etc.
To find out more or to volunteer, please email
thefutureoffood@hellocoolworld.com
**Special Event Announcement**
Sunday, October 2nd - The Future of Organics
A discussion with RONNIE CUMMINS, Organic Consumers Association (OCA),
MARK RITCHIE, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), and
DEBORAH KOONS GARCIA, The Future of Food.
The following questions will be addressed:
- How can we secure organics?
- Is it too expensive?
- Why consume organics?
The panel will follow the 7:15 PM screening of The Future of Food,
beginning around 8:45 PM.
RONNIE CUMMINS
The current national director of the OCA, Ronnie Cummins has been a
public interest activist since the 1960s and is heavily involved in the
campaign around sustainable agriculture. He is the author of Genetically
Engineered Food: A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers.
www.organicconsumers.org
MARK RITCHIE
As president of the IATP in Minnesota, Mark Ritchie has helped to
develop and advance trade policy beneficial to farmers, consumers, rural
communities and the environment. In conjunction with his work at IATP,
Ritchie serves as vice-chair of the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable
Agriculture at the University of Minnesota. He is a member of the
Commission on Globalization of the State of the World Forum, and was
appointed to the official U.S. delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of
the World Trade Organization.
In recognition of his work in the community, Ritchie received the Twin
Cities International Citizens Award. He also was recognized by the
University of Minnesota Academic Health Center for work on children's
health and was named to Utne Reader's list of America's 100 visionaries
of 1994. An accomplished speaker, Ritchie has presented at many national
events, summits and conferences.
www.iatp.org
DEBORAH KOONS GARCIA
An award-winning filmmaker, Deborah Koons Garcia's work has played at
film festivals, in theaters and on television. She was the instigator
and chief Creative Consultant for Grateful Dawg, a documentary about the
musical friendship between her husband Jerry Garcia and David Grisman.
Her current film, The Future of Food, was shown over a dozen times as a
work in progress in Mendocino County, California before the March 2004
election and was the primary element in passing Measure H which bans the
planting of genetically engineered crops in the county. The California
Secretary of Food and Agriculture requested a copy of The Future of Food
before he subsequently vetoed the planting of genetically engineered
rice.
Please forward widely!
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