RESISTANCE CINEMA Presents “EATING” a film by Michael Anderson, RaveDiet, Produced and directed by Michael Anderson, 2008, 88 minutes
WHEN: Sunday July 12, 2009 1:15 pm
WHERE: Community Church NYC, Gallery Room 28 East 35th st. @ Park ave.
ADMISSION: Free; donations appreciated
What does one do when he makes some miraculous discoveries that are beneficial to his own health and could do the same for many others. He could tell his story to the newspapers, create a magazine article, or even write a book. Michael Anderson answered the question for himself by making the film EATING
"In a nutshell this project was borne out of anger because I was already in my 50's when I first came across the full range of arguments for a plant-based diet," says Anderson. "Quite frankly, I was stunned and angry because the arguments are so powerful, yet virtually unknown in the mainstream. I was angry because of what I had been doing to my body, the environment, and the animals I was eating. Like most Americans, I never made the connection."
Anderson himself narrates the 89-minute film and includes brief scenes of himself jogging at the beginning and the ending. The narration is both on and off camera. His narration includes his own family's story that mentions his father-in-law with heart disease, his mother with osteoporosis, and his sister-in-law with diabetes. His conclusion is that "the American eating habit is officially suicidal." As he points out, the Standard American Diet (SAD) that relies on animal protein contributes to the death of two out of three Americans each year.
In discussing cholesterol and clogged arteries, the film presents visuals showing the buildup of plaque that narrows the flow of blood. Seeing the narrowing of an artery is far more effective than reading about it. As the narrator declares, "Cholesterol has caused more deaths than all the wars of the Twentieth Century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined."
In 1971 President Nixon declared war on cancer. Anderson lets his viewers in on "a dirty secret. We already have a cure for cancer--your immune system." The biggest cause of cancer is a weakened immune system that can be strengthened by a plant-based diet. "
Also revealed in the film are the nutrition myths surrounding dairy products. Both doctors and dieticians have bought into the myth that dairy is healthy and will help prevent osteoporosis by providing calcium. "The primary cause of osteoporosis is a sedentary work and lifestyle," the narrator asserts. "Dairy is liquid meat." Drinking three glasses of milk a day is equal to eating 21 slices of bacon. A pint of ice cream is the equivalent of 24 slices of bacon.
Anderson briefly details how he became a vegetarian overnight. He now enjoys what he calls a "delicious, varied, old-fashioned diet." For others he recommends a gradual approach using meat, dairy, and egg substitutes. He suggests eating the old-fashioned way with occasional animal foods until the individual is comfortable in making the total change to a plant-based diet
The program Anderson follows and recommends to others is the RAVE Diet.
No Refined Foods
No Animal Foods
No Vegetable Oil
No Exception
and Exercise
The long-term benefits include clearing of plaque in the blood vessels, more oxygen in the body, fewer toxins in the body, lower blood pressure, stronger bones, and longer life.
The second part of the film is called "Beyond Health--Environmental Waste." The statistical information on the amount of agricultural raw materials used in animal production is quite boggling. Approximately 80% of corn, 80% of grain, and 95% of oats are fed to farm animals. Quite startling is the fact that 50% of the fish catch goes to feed those same animals.
In revealing how animals are abused in the factory farm system that provides meat and dairy products, the film shows farms animals living under brutal conditions. Society has created concentration camps for animals. Cattle are castrated and their horns are cut off.
The film concludes with a list of famous vegetarians past and present from Herodotus to Paul McCartney. Musical selections include "Amazing Grace" sung by Leslie Clark, "Last Dolphin" performed by Ivory Tower, and "Just Three Words" played by the Eve Selis Band.