Trailer Rough Cut Finishing Funds A documentary that deals with beef safety issues through the personal story of an unexpected muckraker in the tradition of Erin Brokovich and Upton Sinclair.
Janet's viewpoint will be balanced by perspectives of the scientists studying the disease, and the government officials who reassure us that our meat supply is safe. The paradox at the heart of the film is intrinsic to the mission of the USDA: how to resolve the conflict between the public health and the business interests which sustain our economy? Janet's contention that not enough is being done to protect us from tainted beef has gained increasing credence with the unfolding of events since the first U.S. cow confirmed to be infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy was discovered in Washington State in December of '03. In an editorial, The New York Times stated that "the Federal Department of Agriculture is making it hard for anyone to feel confident that the nation is adequately protected against mad cow disease." Since we started filming with Janet, two additional cows have tested positive for BSE in the United States. In spite of this, the USDA has lowered the number of cattle tested for BSE from 10% to 1%. The USDA continues to forbid a cattle company permission to voluntarily test all its cows for mad cow in order to re-establish the company's sales to Japan. Following a wide ban of U.S. beef initiated after the first infected cow was discovered, most foreign markets have given in to USDA pressure and resumed importation. We follow the trajectory of
Janet's investigation and visit the families of victims who have died
of Sporadic CJD in the United States which Janet contends is the U.S.
version of Mad Cow Disease. Janet's personal story moves us and
gives an individual perspective to a story that has universal impact.
Public awareness and understanding of these events is limited due to the coverage from news outlets whose reportage tends to focus on the economic situation of US cattle producers rather than food safety issues. The American public deserves to be better informed at this crucial time. The public's increasing interest in food issues and growing concerns about agribusiness means that our film will serve to fill a gap in comprehensive programming on the subject. Americans, like Janet Skarbek, are less and less willing to be passive about health issues affecting their lives and this project is about presenting information in a thorough and balanced manner so that awareness is increased and educated consumers can make informed decisions. Janet is an ideal person to bring a story about food safety to a wide national audience. In an era when politicians are eager to divide us into red-staters and blue-staters, into secular city slickers versus rural Christians, Janet has transformed from a career driven conservative to the unlikely combinations of strong faith and progressive politics. She is a normal mom with incredible courage and a role model in our time. Part investigative report, part personal story of transformation, our film will bring new audiences to public television and inspire them to engage in this issue. Filmmaker: Nancye Good Milky Way Media 15 Spencer Place Brooklyn NY 11216 office: 718 636-0990 email: mwm-film@milkywaymedia.net Milky Way Media is a full-fledged production company started by Nancye Good and her husband E. Paul DiMartino. Nancye has been honing her sense of story development for over 10 years producing and directing programs for Japanese Network television. The projects she headed often viewed aspects of American life from the more objective viewpoint of the international media, including on-the-ground coverage of the 2000 Inauguration, a multi-segment news story on Xeno-estrogen contaminants in the food chain, and live coverage of the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Ultimately her inspiration for pursuing this project comes from her experience covering under-reported topics, and an intense concern about the safety, quality, and flavor of the food she eats and feeds to her own children. Charlotte's background as an independent producer and editor began at InCite Pictures/Cine Qua Non, producing documentaries for television about bank robbers ("The Trenchcoat Gang", Court TV 2003), small town Texas politics ("The Education of Shelby Knox", ITVS 2005) and other assorted projects. She co-produced and edited "Independent Media in a Time of War", a call for media awareness that is being distributed by the Media Education Foundation and has screened in over 15 festivals worldwide. She recently produced and directed "Messenger's" a short documentary about the legacy of slavery and the blues in Clarksdale Mississippi that won 1st place at the Crossroads film festival in Jackson. Charlotte hopes to bring the politics of food to the table for a wide audience with this film at a time when Americans are looking for informed critiques of agribusiness. |
