Food Fight

Australasian Premiere

When we walk into a supermarket, we assume that we have the widest possible choice of healthy foods. But in fact, over the course of the 20th century, our food system was co-opted by corporate forces whose interests do not lie in providing the public with fresh, healthy, sustainably-produced food.

Director Chris Taylor reaches as far back as World War II to explain America’s initial tendency toward corporate-owned, mass-produced and flavourless agricultural goods, and examines how this trend has ultimately landed the United States in the unhealthy state it is in today. Fortunately, an alternative emerged from the counter-culture of California in the late 1960s, led by the now-legendary chefs who spearheaded the California Cuisine movement. Notables such as Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters, Wolfgang Puck, Jeremiah Tower and Suzanne Goin are interviewed, with their stories of culinary triumph lovingly retold. The unintended result was the birth of a vital locally-sustainable organic food movement which has brought back taste and variety to our tables.

Food Fight is a fascinating look at how American agricultural policy and food culture developed in the 20th century, and how the California food movement has created a counter-revolution against big agribusiness. The film promotes this idea, and urges its viewers to continue the 50-year battle for deliciousness by buying locally and eating organically. And who could argue? All we have to lose is our heart disease, obesity and wealthy corporate middlemen. Viva la revolution!