I watched another food-focused documentary this past weeked called King Corn.  It’s the story of two friends from Boston who decide to grow one acre of corn in Greene, Iowa and follow it from seed to plate.  They quickly realize farming isn’t as romantic as they had thought, learning the sad irony that a farmer with 7,000 acres of corn can’t feed himself: the corn he grows is inedible and barely profitable.  King Corn examines the pervasive nature of corn, especially genetically modified corn in the US economy and diet.

King Corn was written, photographed, produced, and directed by Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, who drew huge inspiration from Michael Pollan.  Pollan is featured in the film, along with other notable food writers and reseachers.  I don’t think Cheney and Ellis are film students, and filmically it shows at times, but they tell a very compelling story.

King Corn is available on DVD and slated to air on PBS stations across the country.

Recycle your unwanted desktop and notebook computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, VCRs, stereos and microwave ovens at no charge.
Because of their lead and mercury content, monitors of all sizes still have a $15 fee. The drop-off center is open Mon - Sat.  More info at Recycle Ann Arbor.