Le monde selon Monsanto (2008) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Marie-Monique Robin

Writer:

Marie-Monique Robin (writer)

Release Date:

11 March 2008 (France)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Monsanto | Genetic Engineering | Pesticide

Cast

David Becker	...	Himself
Ken Cook	...	Himself
Prof. David Carpenter	...	Himself
Prof. Robert Bellé	...	Himself
John Hoffman	...	Himself
Dan Glickman	...	Himself
James Maryanski	...	Himself
Jeffrey Smith	...	Himself
Michael Hansen	...	Himself
Jeremy Rifkin	...	Himself
Michael Taylor	...	Himself
Richard Burroghs	...	Himself
Dr. Samuel Epstein	...	Himself
Pete Hardin	...	Himself
Ray Moulsk	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Monsanto, mit Gift und Genen (Germany) (DVD title)
The World According to Monsanto (International: English title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

France | Canada | Germany

Language:

English | Spanish | French

Color:

Color

Company:

Arte France

Quotes:

George Bush: Call me; we're in the "dereg" business.

France Makes a Good Documentary

The World According to Monsanto is a good documentary about a great subject. Monsanto has received many condemnations in its quest for profits but this documentary provides a slightly more scathing review of the company.

The movie gives the obligatory history of Monsanto and it's damage to the world. And just when it looks like it is going to continue in mediocrity the movie changes gears and really attacks the subject at hand. Monsanto, and other multi-nationals, have for years now tried to effect people that make decisions and oversee "the public good". This movie, in the latter half, attacks Monsanto as a company which strives to blacklist dissenters and keep the truth from seeing the light of day. The movie uses various primary witnesses and at a couple great interviews. I would go into more detail but I prefer brevity.

The movie in my mind has three faults, interviews, a bleeding heart and the internet. The interviews were at times well done but at some points the interviewer spoke too much or the interviewee was lackluster (Dr. Michael Hansen was a horrendous interviewee). Occasionally the movie goes too far and essentially tells you FEEL BAD when all that needs to be said is this is what's happening (town of Anniston the old guy in the wheelchair). Finally, the documentarian uses the internet, even wikipedia, as a way to show the audience her search for the facts. I felt that it diminished credibility and wasn't an effective visually. (Yes, I know she didn't actually only use the internet for this documentary...)

A movie for people who wish to be called informed or like to know what's in their milk. 8/10