Good Food Bad Food - Guide to Better Farming

In times of rampant food scandals, a film like "Good Food Bad Food" by "Saint Jaques" director Coline Serreau seems to come to our cinemas at the perfect time. In terms of content, then, the documentary is important and absolutely worth watching. But in terms of craftsmanship, the film is so flawed that the almost two-hour running time is hardly bearable.

The film documents the efforts of various farmers in France, Brazil, India or Ukraine to improve the quality of the soil and restore seed diversity. Not only should healthier food be grown as a result, but the environment would also benefit. The fight against chemical fertilizers, pesticides and food corporations controlling agriculture, supported by politics, is not only incredibly important, but also quite exciting for those interested. What the viewer learns in this documentary is often literally unbelievable. But there is also hope and simply beautiful, uplifting moments that would make this film absolutely worth watching in its own right.

But Serreau trips herself up with her production. The whole thing starts with the director fobbing viewers off with fairly dry interviews for the first half hour, which carries with it a wealth of information. Later, the camera follows the farmers to their fields, their farms and their agricultural projects. In doing so, Serrau pans the camera back and forth so intensely, barely holding still for a second even during the interviews, that it's easy to feel nauseous while watching. While the interviewees give quite important and interesting things, it is made impossible for the viewer to concentrate on what is being said by the constantly up and down, back and forth swaying camera.

It is really a shame that a topic that is so important in itself, especially for today's society, has been implemented in such an unbearable way in terms of craftsmanship. The hectic camera and unnecessary lengths make it almost impossible to recommend this documentary with a clear conscience. But the message is so strong that at least those viewers who can overlook the craftsmanship, this film can be warmly recommended. But before you should definitely take a remedy for travel sickness, otherwise not only contaminated food will sour you!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp