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Food Inc. On the Colbert Report

by Nina Budabin McQuown · June 4th, 2009
On The Web

Food Inc, is about to open nationally in theaters. The film is by Eric Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, which paved the way for Supersize Me, The Omnivores Dilemma, maybe even the whole mainstreaming of the Good Food Movement.

Schlosser appeared on the Colbert Report on Wednesday to talk up his new movie. You can watch the full episode here. The interview starts around 13:45, but watch out for the incessant car commercials every time you scroll forward or backward.

After watching the interview, I took a look at the official page for Food Inc. After watching the trailer, I got the distinct impression that I might walk out of the theater with a nasty taste in my mouth, the kind you get from watching middle-class back-to-the-landers face off in a war of accents, life choices, and political allegiances against poor white farmers. I’m not going to knock the movie before I see it, it’s possible that the details totally negate this impression, but the trailer seems pretty straight-forwardly divisive. Check it out above and let me know what you think.

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8 Responses to “Food Inc. On the Colbert Report”

  1. Bobbi Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 8:32 am

    I agree with you that the tone is harsh and divisive. But I started thinking about the themes of the trailer and our lack of control over something as basic as our own food is unbelievable. How did we get to this place? The stereotypical white guy farmer with the Southern accent was a bit over the top. But maybe this is what it takes to wake people up. I’m looking forward to seeing the film.

  2. Liz Lawler Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 10:42 am

    The content made be solid and informed, but the framework definitely seems divisive and condescending. But ultimately, the audience for this sort of film is upper middle class, etc. So it’s probably preaching to the choir. I doubt white Southern farmers or republicans will be offended, simply because they won’t be in the audience.

  3. Liz Lawler Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 10:43 am

    sorry, that should be “may be solid and informed” not made. That’s what I get for typing while on the treadmill.

  4. Hershele Ostropoler Says:
    June 5th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I never trust a trailer anyway.

    I couldn’t get it to play past 38 seconds, but from what I did see I agree with Ms. Lawler.

  5. Ivy Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    I didn’t get that feeling. Looks like a great film to me. Of course, I’m an Eric Schlosser fan already.

  6. Shannon Says:
    June 9th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    Thanks for posting the trailer for Food, Inc., coming out in theaters June 12, in San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles (other play dates available here: http://www.magpictures.com/dat.....5952f1480)! There is also a book companion to the movie, Food, Inc. available at Amazon.com. The book explores topics that were discussed in the movie, such as the industrialization of our food supply and the benefits of local and organic eating. Food experts including Marion Nestle, Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan, and Anna Lappé, take these topics to another level through thirteen fascinating essays, some of which have been written especially for this book. Check it out!

    Shannon Matloob
    Participant Media

  7. Jim T Says:
    June 12th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    Another example of a niche topic talking to its own audience (which is why the film did not get much cooperation from geographies in between NY and Berkley).

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