Presented by Matt Wechsler
Filmmaker, Food Activist
Join us for a discussion and screening of the award-winning documentary, “Sustainable.” Local filmmaker and food activist Matt Wechsler will show highlights from his film. He’ll cover the economic and environmental instability of America’s food system, from the agricultural issues we face — soil loss, water depletion, climate change, pesticide use — to the community of leaders who are determined to fix it.
The film focuses on Marty Travis, a seventh-generation farmer in central Illinois, who watched his land and community fall victim to the pressures of big agribusiness. Determined to create a proud legacy for his son, Marty transforms his profitless wasteland and pioneers the sustainable food movement in Chicago.
“Sustainable” travels the country quoting Chicago chefs like Rick Bayless and Greg Wade, and farmers like Bill Niman, Klaas Martens and John Kempf – all heroes who challenge the ethical decisions behind industrial agriculture. It is a story of hope and transformation, about passion for the land and a promise that it can be restored to once again sustain us.
Biography: Matt Wechsler and Annie Speicher are the storytellers at Hourglass Films behind “Sustainable”. The film is a passion project for them, combining their roles as food activists with their talents as documentary filmmakers. “Sustainable” was screened at 20+ film festivals around the world and recently won the 2016 Accolade Global Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Achievement. Their past work includes the 2012 New York Emmy-nominated documentary “Different is the New Normal”, which aired nationally on PBS and was narrated by Michael J. Fox. They are currently working on a new film called “Right to Harm” about the health effects of factory farming on rural Americans. The film is set to premiere in 2018.
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Cost of the lecture program is $5, $3 for students and no charge for CHC members,
and Weiss staff and faculty.
Seating is limited/Please RSVP
To reserve, please e-mail your reservation:Culinary.Historians@gmail.com
FREE PARKING: USE OPEN LOT ON SOUTH SIDE OF HOSPITAL
(Signs will say “Permit Parking” and “Doctor’s Lot” but it’s OKAY for YOU to use on this Saturday!)
FREE STREET PARKING ALSO
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: CTA BUS #146 STOPS DIRECTLY IN FRONT