I teach several university courses on the geography of coffee, and often show documentaries in those classes. I was therefore very interested when a premiere screening of this film came to Boston about a year ago, and I was able to attend.
I picked up a copy of the DVD then, and have just spent the morning re-watching it and making notes for my students to use with the film.
I have been to two of the four places featured in the film, though not to the same cooperatives, and I know something of the history of the other places mentioned.
This film manages to present the very serious histories of these places in a way that connects those histories to the current challenges they face, all while embodying the optimism that imbues the communities themselves.
Most importantly, this film -- in 70 short minutes -- explains why the trade in coffee matters, what fair trade has to offer, and what is at stake in the current debates about fair trade.
I have been teaching about coffee for over a decade, and can think of no better introduction to the vital issues involved.
I picked up a copy of the DVD then, and have just spent the morning re-watching it and making notes for my students to use with the film.
I have been to two of the four places featured in the film, though not to the same cooperatives, and I know something of the history of the other places mentioned.
This film manages to present the very serious histories of these places in a way that connects those histories to the current challenges they face, all while embodying the optimism that imbues the communities themselves.
Most importantly, this film -- in 70 short minutes -- explains why the trade in coffee matters, what fair trade has to offer, and what is at stake in the current debates about fair trade.
I have been teaching about coffee for over a decade, and can think of no better introduction to the vital issues involved.
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