There are so many different sub-genres of documentaries that tackle a number of topics found interesting by fans of cinema, both devoted and casual. From concert documentaries that provide a musical experience to political documentaries that challenge preconceptions of the way global powers operate, there are so many true stories out there for everyone to learn more about the world around them.
One of the documentary sub-genres that has been on the rise in recent years, though, is the category of docs that chronicle the farming and food industry. As climate change continues to force people to rethink their relationships with the growth and sustenance around them, these documentaries provide harrowing recaps of all that has transpired and inspiring paths forward for those who seek change.
10 The Future Of Food
In 2004, Deborah Koons released a documentary that covered myriad intersecting elements of the agricultural industry. By unpacking the truth behind genetically altered foods, Koons helped provide a template for exploring what exactly people put into their bodies.
Through this, Koons also evaluated the impacts that corporations and governments have on the industries, leaving many farmers helpless against the overarching goals of conglomerates. It’s a tough watch, but necessary.
9 The Biggest Little Farm
The Biggest Little Farm, from 2018, is an interesting documentary because it’s made by John and Molly Chester, the actual farming subjects of the story. It’s not often that the people who lead a documentary are also the ones being filmed in it, but that’s exactly how this tale operates.
Functioning slightly as a video diary of the Chesters’ attempts to run an organic farm, it shows exactly how challenging it is for individuals to make a difference in the massive failings of the farming industry. But there are still avenues for living harmoniously with the land.
8 Ugly Delicious
Dave Chang, the culinary savant behind Momofuku and Majordomo, took his talents to Netflix for a documentary series that explored a number of popular and delicious foods. He went deeper, too, to see how the contexts and histories of those foods shape modern perceptions of them.
Whether it’s Syrian food, tacos, or what’s being served on the kids’ menu, every topic is worthwhile to see explored on Ugly Delicious. This includes Chang’s perspective on the dishes, as well as the authors, stars, professors, and chefs he brings on to discuss them.
7 Jiro Dreams Of Sushi
Another food documentary that explores things from the perspective of the chef is the acclaimed 2011 film, Jiro Dreams of Sushi. From David Gelb, this iconic documentary explores Jiro Ono, the owner of Tokyo’s Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi restaurant.
An important element of a food documentary is what drives the people leading the industry to pour heart and authenticity into their dishes. Jiro Dreams of Sushi thoroughly explores just how important a chef’s perspective is.
6 Farmland
In 2014, Oscar-winning director James Moll released Farmland, a documentary that explored how modernized agriculture has become, especially through the lens of how it is one of the most traditional activities and livelihoods in the world.
The new technologies and chemicals introduced to farming are interrogated in full through Farmland. The best part? It’s all done through the personal experiences of farmers from different pockets of the United States, providing a more holistic, ground-level picture of the major issues facing them.
5 Cooked
Another Netflix documentary that deals with food and farming is 2016’s Cooked, from the creative talents of Alex Gibney. Similar to Ugly Delicious, Cooked explores the history of cooking and myriad dishes.
However, it might even have a stronger connection for fans of Aang and all the characters of Avatar: The Last Airbender, as Cooked examines food specifically through the lens of the four elements.
4 King Corn
Corn is arguably the most important staple crop of foods throughout the world and especially in the United States. Enter the 2007 documentary, King Corn, which puts corn on the pedestal it has long since deserved.
King Corn tracks an intrapersonal journey by Ian Cheney and Curtis Ellis, two friends from college who try to farm an acre of corn all by themselves. It explores how farming has been increasingly warped over time and how difficult it can be to make an honest living with the original intention of corn.
3 Forks Over Knives
In recent years, there has been a clearly growing movement away from traditional meat industries and products. Beef and poultry are still consumed on massive scales, but vegan diets and even simple plant-based options have begun to grow in the cultural consciousness.
2011’s Forks Over Knives, an unabashed film with a clear thesis and direct advocacy, helped contribute to that narrative. It explores how many better options are out there if folks are looking to move away from traditional meats.
2 Honeyland
At last year’s Oscars, Honeyland made a big splash by becoming the first documentary to ever nab nominations in the categories of both International Feature and Documentary Feature. It shows just how transcendent Honeyland was upon its initial 2019 release in Macedonia.
As can probably be surmised, Honeyland tells a story of a beekeeper in Bekirlija, but it also explores many more weighty topics, including the debilitating effects of climate change on many natural populations in the world.
1 Food, Inc.
Lastly, Food, Inc. has to be on the list. One of the few truly mainstream food documentaries, Food, Inc. garnered an Oscar nomination back when it was released in 2008 by Magnolia and from director Robert Kenner.
Food, Inc. was one of the first documentaries to truly explore in an accessible manner the current state of macro-farming from corporations in the U.S. It provides images to many viewers who never give a second thought as to where their food comes from, and it is an unforgettable depiction.
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