The Social Silo – It’s not every day that a documentary about dairy farming comes into the limelight. Today, however, I just heard that Sundance Film Festival will be screening a little known independent film called The Moo Man, a documentary about an English farmer and his unruly cows.
Here’s the synopsis:
“In an attempt to save his family farm, Stephen Hook decides to turn his back on the cost cutting dairies and supermarkets, and instead stay small and keep his close relationship with the herd. However farmer Hook’s plans to save the farm do not always go down well with his 55 spirited cows. The result is a laugh-out-loud, emotional roller-coaster of a journey.”
The documentary is making big news today even though, according to the website, there’s not even been a press screening of the film. So what’s making The Moo Man so popular? It’s not about obesity, birth defects or how the food system is killing you. It’s about a man who loves his herd.
People are hungry to know more about farming, agriculture, food and eating well, but they’re tired of the same ole’ same ole’.
Farming on film
Take one look through Netflix and you’ll find plenty of movies (mostly documentaries) about agriculture. Many of the films equate to no more than a finger-pointing session blaming farmers and the food industry for things like obesity, birth defects and mental illness.
People are beginning to see-through the one-sided conversation.
Why this matters
The Sundance Film Festival is basically the Super Bowl of independent film. Many of the films featured at Sundance will continue through the publishing process and end up in theaters or living rooms around the country. The Moo Man has a chance to be seen by millions of people.
The director of Sundance, John Cooper, called The Moo Man a “crazy little film” and admitted that it’s his favorite film at the festival.
The Moo Man isn’t described as a “scathing documentary on agribusiness.” It doesn’t pit consumers against producers, which is great! I’m looking forward to seeing the film, myself. Though I can’t make it to Sundance, I will make sure to keep my eyes open for this little film.
Visit The Moo Man’s Facebook page
The film’s Sundance page
