KING CORN Changed My Life

“For the first time in American history, our generation was at risk of having a shorter lifespan than our parents. And it was because of what we ate.” —Curt Ellis, KING CORN filmmaker

As a celebration of four years of Community Cinema at the holiday season, we asked our event producers and producing partners to share reflections on past events.  Desiree Gutierrez is our ITVS National Community Cinema Coordinator based in the Los Angeles area. Desiree shares her thoughts on how the Community Cinema selection KING CORN changed her life.

I think it’s safe to say that most kids in America grow up on a diet of frozen chicken fingers, processed macaroni and cheese, and soda. My childhood was different in that my parents had met in cooking school and operated a catering business. So, I not only grew up working for the family business, but I was also exposed to a variety of food types. In fact, I’ve been cooking since I was five (my first specialty was an egg over easy).

My parents taught me that quality food was about love and care in the preparation. Only recently have I learned that quality food includes knowing a foods source and growing conditions. For the last three years, I have worked as a National Community Cinema Coordinator and in 2008 while organizing events for the film KING CORN, I began to learn about the effects of public policy on food and farming in America. While working on KING CORN I was simultaneously reading Michael Pollan’s, “The Omnivores Dilemma.” These two pieces of media inspired a food awakening within me. Rather suddenly, my concepts about quality food dramatically shifted.

Corn!

I was trying to make sense of and prioritize such concepts as fresh, local, organic, sustainable, cage free, and grass fed. I also began to learn some startling health facts related to food. For example, I belong to the first generation in history to have a projected life span shorter than my parents. Also, according to a report by the CDC, within a decade 40-45% of school age children will likely have diabetes and be insulin dependent. Many scientists believe these shifts in health are directly related to the shift in the American diet, which is now comprised largely of processed foods derived from subsidized commodities such as corn and soy.

Thanks to KING CORN, I am not only eating differently, but I am also seeking to change the policies that impact the quality of food we eat. I am currently volunteering with Mudtown Farms in Watts, CA. Mudtown is the name for a 2.5 acre farm that is being developed in Watts as part of a movement to bring fresh produce into an urban food desert. I will also be starting a Certificate in Sustainability program at UCLA this January and hope to start earning a Masters in Public Policy this Fall.

Watch a video clip of the KING CORN filmmakers on GOOD MORNING AMERICA in March 2008.

Tags: community cinema, king corn, los angeles

King Corn Maze

It’s fall and who doesn’t love a good corn maze? It’s a chance to test your navigation skills and compete for bragging rights among your friends.

Try our very own corn maze inspired by the Independent Lens and Community Cinema hit film KING CORN. The film follows two recent college graduates who plant a single acre of corn and set out to follow it on its journey from a seed to the dinner plate. Thousands of people watched free previews of KING CORN in March 2008 at Community Cinema events nationwide.

Master the corn maze to get an earful of corn fun and facts >>

Tags: corn, free, king corn, maze

My Best Experience Producing a Community Cinema Event: Sydney Meyer – KETC TV – St. Louis

KING CORN Event Attendees Mingle and Learn

350 people filled the Missouri History Museum Lobby for the KETC St. Louis Channel 9 Community Cinema screening of the film KING CORN on March 8, 2008.

The night began an hour early with a festive Farmers Market loaded with “healthy foods”. The market had excellent resources with great information and wonderful locally grown, healthy foods. The “Healthiest Potato Chip You Can Get” was the Channel 9 staff’s favorite! It was fun and informative and people were really enjoying themselves. It was a great way to begin the KING CORN evening.

KING CORN event attendees browse the event's farmers market

After the film and discussion we ended the night with an after-the-film event at a local, near-by restaurant. The owner prepared a special KING CORN dish – “Fresh, buttery Sea Scallops and a zesty relish made with bi-colored corn grown for us by sweet corn local, farm specialists. The big, fat, juicy kernels have captured the bright sun and blue skies of a long Missouri Summer, lying blissfully at slumber in our big freezer since August of ’07.”

KING CORN Learning Station

I just loved that colorful description after our discussion had pointed out our lost connection with the food we eat! The conversation continued into the night ending with the idea there need to be more films on this topic and other environmental issues. This is a very popular subject with our audiences.

Thanks, the film was a great pick. We “hunger” for more films from the KING CORN producers!

Sydney Meyer
Project Manager
KETC TV
St. Louis, MO

Tags: documentary, eco, events, farmers market, film, free, king corn, pbs, st louis