FOOD FOR PROFIT directed by Giulia Innocenzi & Pablo D’Ambrosi (Italy , 2024)
The way I see it there are three compelling reasons to switch to a strict vegan diet : for the animals, for the planet and for your health. This documentary suggests a fourth is to strike at the heart of capitalism.
If you don’t have a dream …..
I’ve never been convinced that graphic images of gruesome slaughter house practice do much to change hearts and minds. There’s a certain shock value but this only has a temporary impact. I think most people are aware that what occurs before the meat appears on our plates or is wrapped in cellophane is not for the faint-hearted. Out of sight, out of mind is enough for most determined carnivores. Pigs, chickens, sheep and cows meet sticky ends but they also make for tasty meals.
On the film’s website there is the bold claim that ‘Food For Profit’ “is the first feature documentary that exposes the links between the meat industry, lobbying and the corridors of power.” One of its main targets is the European Parliament which finances intensive farming and largely turns a blind eye to the horrors that go on behind the closed doors of factory farms. Dangerous levels of pollution and the illegal use of immigrant labour are also exposed.
The difficulty of finding a distributor for the film has been overcome by independently organising a series of special screenings. The one I saw was at the Eliseo Cinema in Cesena, Italy and was followed by a discussion, moderated by animal activist Fabio Marcon, with co-director Giulia Innocenzi, food blogger and author Lorenzo Biagiarelli and self-appointed influencer (‘Opinionista’) Selvaggia Lucarelli.
Innocenzi’s bright and amiable demeanour belies the bravery, toughness and determination she demonstrates in the film. Her investigative journalistic methods largely consist of confronting guilty until proved innocent individuals with damning photographs, videos or statistics. She feigns surprise or outrage when the reactions are abusive or violent.
Personally, I find these doorstepping techniques, which are also a common feature of Michael Moore’s documentaries, to be largely disingenuous and often counterproductive. No-one wants to be accused of misdeeds with a camera shoved at their face. When the evidence is clear enough there is no real need for such unsubtle tactics.
Another dubious means of exposing shady deeds is the use of hidden cameras. Co-conspiritor Lorenzo Mineo poses as a lobbyist in Bruseels pitching invented technological breakthroughs such as a genetically modified six-legged pig. Here again it is no great shock to find that these Frankenstein-type proposals are treated seriously and cause no alarm. The fact that politicians pay only lip-service to animal rights and plainly do not lose sleep over ethical standards is hardly a revelation.
Ultimately, this film merely confirms what most well informed people should already know. That’s not to say that it has no value. It is designed to encourage discussion and debate about what’s at stake (steak?) and to show how links between factory farming methods and our daily diet are neglected political issues.
Legislative reform on animal welfare is long overdue and putting pressure on MPs and European representatives on this issue is important. However, long-term reform depends on the actions of consumers i.e. you and me.
This film is effective at highlighting the grotesque manner in which food is produced but If the levels of meat consumption remain consistently high, the advocates of the ‘greed is good’ philosophy will not see any reason to change and profit will continue to rule the roast.
