Page 79 - Summer2009
P. 79
Tim’s DVD Reviews
better job of explaining all of that (and is a much scenes in this movie. In spite of this lack it still
better DVD overall). has some redeeming value. Biodynamic farming
For those contemplating liposuction it might expert Peter Proctor is on a mission to convert
EH JRRG WR ZDWFK WKH ¿UVW SDUW RI WKH YLGHR EXW Indian farms to organic or biodynamic farming
HYHQ WKHUH RQH ZRQ¶W ¿QG PXFK DERXW WKH DVVRFL- methods. Many farmers there are receptive, es-
ated risks. In summary, thumbs down. pecially after their experience with Monsanto.
Financial ruin was not the worst of it. About
Ripe for Change ,QGLDQ IDUPHUV KDYH FRPPLWWHG VXL-
Produced by Beyond the Dream LLC cide since 1993. This is blamed mainly on crop
Broadcast on PBS failure when using, or trying to use Monsanto’s
genetically engineered seeds. They are ready to
Local food is promoted heavily in this video. try something else now.
Early on we see a striking image of farmers in This DVD gives you a lot of different views
ZKDW ORRNV OLNH VSDFH VXLWV VSUD\LQJ WKHLU ¿HOGV of India. One thing all these views have in com-
What’s wrong with that picture? The problems mon, both in cities and out in the countryside,
with chemicals are explained in some detail. is bovine presence. Cows are everywhere. What
The featured chemical is the herbicide Atrazine, a great country! Contrary to what some would
which scrambles sexual characteristics in frogs have us believe about harming the environment,
DQG ¿VK 6ZLVV FRPSDQ\ 6\QJHQWD PDNHV WKH they understand that what comes out of the back
stuff but it has never been legal in Switzerland of the cow (not milk) is critical to restoring dam-
and is banned all over Europe. The points made aged and depleted soil.
LQ WKH ¿OP DUH JRRG DV IDU DV WKH\ JR EXW VRPH- What struck me most was the interview with
thing is missing. D JRYHUQPHQW DJULFXOWXUH RI¿FHU +H ZDV ³KDSS\
“Ripe for Change” talks about sustainability. and astonished as they [farmers] could solve
Sustainability is good but except for a shot or two their own problems.” They were “working like
of chickens and a few dogs, I see no animals in scientists.” Interesting how city slickers all over
this DVD. Where are the beeves? Farmers I have WKH ZRUOG ¿QG LW VXUSULVLQJ WKDW VPDOO IDUPHUV
talked to point out that crops take a lot out of the are actually quite an intelligent bunch. The main
soil and it isn’t easy to put the nutrients back. It’s difference between India and the U.S. is that as
impossible with conventional fertilizer. The best VRRQ DV 8 6 RI¿FLDOV VHH IDUPHUV VROYLQJ WKHLU
fertilizer comes from a cow. Better yet, lots of own problems, they start considering legislation
FRZV (YHQ WKH YDOLG SRLQWV LQ WKLV ¿OP DUH QRW to put an end to it. Gandhi believed in food sov-
exactly dramatically new revelations for anyone HUHLJQW\²WKH ULJKW RI DOO SHRSOH WR GH¿QH WKHLU One goal is
slightly informed on the subject. And no cows. own food and agriculture free of international to convert
Thumbs down. market forces.
There is a lot of other philosophizing at the all of India
How to Save the World HQG RI WKH ¿OP ZKLFK , ZLOO OHDYH WR WKH YLHZHUV to organic or
Cloud South Films, Ltd. to decide what they think. One goal is to convert biodynamic
Narrated by Peter Coyote all of India to organic or biodynamic within the
next decade. I’m sure Monsanto would be happy within the
There are no pyrotechnics or car chase to hear that. Thumbs up for this one. next decade.
SUMMER 2009 Wise Traditions 77