movies
LoveMEATender + Q&A
Documentary | Manu Coeman | Belgium | 2011 | 63 min | English/French | English subtitlesVoorstelling 1: Friday 16 March 19:00 | SK/1
Voorstelling 2: Saturday 17 March 13:00 | SK/1
During his life the average Belgian person eats 5 cows, 7 sheep, 42 pigs, 891 chickens, 43 turkeys and 24 rabbits. Except for rabbits, the Dutch consume more or less the same amount of livestock. These are enormous numbers, and the production required to meet this demand for meat comes with great consequences.
If we continue at this rate, in forty years we will need 36 billion animals a year to supply us with our daily rations of meat. The fact that all these animals must be fed, held, slaughtered and transported, and that this leads to pollution and climate change, raises the following questions: Is it still realistic to eat meat on a daily basis? How did we achieve this in the first place? Why do we eat meat at all? Fifty years ago we did not eat meat on a daily basis, so why is it that such a large number of people do so now?
LoveMEATender investigates the origin of the western tradition of keeping animals for consumption. Why did we choose to use such an intensive form of agriculture?
A system which requires large amounts of pesticide, antibiotics, fuel, and imported proteins? A form which will ultimately be impossible to maintain sustainably?
The roots of the cause lie in the post-war belief that it was necessary to make sure that the people of Europe were well-nourished. This was a time when widespread famine was a very real threat. This motivated Europeans to become self- sufficient as quickly as possible. The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP - Common Agricultural Policy) strove towards an increase in production by means of subsidies and tax releases. This proved very successful. Within a few decades the decoupling of the market led to huge surpluses, especially in dairy products. However, what remained was the widespread demand for cheap meat.
In LoveMEATender, scientists and philosophers explain why the rationale behind our current eating habits is not self-evident. It is a system that has grown out of proportions and carrying many far-reaching consequences. These consequences are aptly manifested through the endearing figure of André Pochon, a retired pig farmer, who has been part of the system both before and after the intensification of agriculture. In his lively and analytical narrative he strikes at the core of the problems but also embodies the possibility of change.
LoveMEATender gives a shocking account of the current system of food production. Both the complexities of this system and the absolute necessity to search for a small and large scale solution are thoroughly explained. However, the film does not merely present a worst case scenario. It is a realistic account of where the food production industry currently stands, and where we are headed. LoveMEATender is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand what it means to eat – whether it is meat or not.
NOTE: on March 17 there will be a Q&A!
This year, the European Common Agricultural Policy celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. At the same time, it will also undergo drastic reform. The Youth Food Movement, founder of the Food Film Festival, recognises the importance of this expensive and influential policy, and has therefore started the international campaign CAP2013. You can visit the website by clicking here. The CAP takes up over 40% of European tax funds. It decides to a great extent what we eat, and yet we have no idea what exactly it entails. Do you also disagree with this? Come to the big CAP debate held at the festival. Here the implications of this particular policy will be discussed. Admission is free.
LoveMEATender investigates the origin of the western tradition of keeping animals for consumption. Why did we choose to use such an intensive form of agriculture?
A system which requires large amounts of pesticide, antibiotics, fuel, and imported proteins? A form which will ultimately be impossible to maintain sustainably?
The roots of the cause lie in the post-war belief that it was necessary to make sure that the people of Europe were well-nourished. This was a time when widespread famine was a very real threat. This motivated Europeans to become self- sufficient as quickly as possible. The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union (CAP - Common Agricultural Policy) strove towards an increase in production by means of subsidies and tax releases. This proved very successful. Within a few decades the decoupling of the market led to huge surpluses, especially in dairy products. However, what remained was the widespread demand for cheap meat.
In LoveMEATender, scientists and philosophers explain why the rationale behind our current eating habits is not self-evident. It is a system that has grown out of proportions and carrying many far-reaching consequences. These consequences are aptly manifested through the endearing figure of André Pochon, a retired pig farmer, who has been part of the system both before and after the intensification of agriculture. In his lively and analytical narrative he strikes at the core of the problems but also embodies the possibility of change.
LoveMEATender gives a shocking account of the current system of food production. Both the complexities of this system and the absolute necessity to search for a small and large scale solution are thoroughly explained. However, the film does not merely present a worst case scenario. It is a realistic account of where the food production industry currently stands, and where we are headed. LoveMEATender is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand what it means to eat – whether it is meat or not.
NOTE: on March 17 there will be a Q&A!
This year, the European Common Agricultural Policy celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. At the same time, it will also undergo drastic reform. The Youth Food Movement, founder of the Food Film Festival, recognises the importance of this expensive and influential policy, and has therefore started the international campaign CAP2013. You can visit the website by clicking here. The CAP takes up over 40% of European tax funds. It decides to a great extent what we eat, and yet we have no idea what exactly it entails. Do you also disagree with this? Come to the big CAP debate held at the festival. Here the implications of this particular policy will be discussed. Admission is free.
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