ADFF Review: Think Global, Act Rural

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Day 1 at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) kicked off with the French documentary Think Global, Act Rural, (in the ‘What In The World Are We Doing To Our World?’ category) a frank and sometimes funny look at agribusiness and the loss of biodiversity in our food.

Picking up with a European view on the similar themes to Food Inc. this documentary by renowned film-maker Colline Serreau, takes a look at how the food industry has changed agriculture and farming processes forever, from the chemicals relied on to keep vegetable plants alive to the level of control that the large corporations have on owning the biodiversity of vegetables.

A similar topic covered by a a number of recent films, however, Think Global, Act Rural looks more in-depth at the consequences of the loss of biodiversity (due to seed control) and soil conditions (modern farming), which ultimately end up in our stomachs.

Another interesting angle in the film is also the role that women had historically in managing and carrying out agriculture, keeping and maintaining the seed banks and soil work, whereas the male version has taken us down the controlled and chemical path.

And while some may dismiss this as a politicised or ideological debate; I couldn’t help but think and remember as a child the sweet taste of my grandfather’s tomatoes or the small, imperfect, but delicious Granny Smith apples growing off the old tree, taking a bite and finding a bug - an imperfection! This was only 20 years ago.

When was the last time you found an imperfection like a worm in an apple? Or for that matter, a tomato that tasted like a tomato. Everything's too perfect.

Think before you buy.

Editor review

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