Hot Potatoes 2001
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by John de Graaf & Jack Hamann
Directed by John de Graaf
VHS, color, 57 min.
College - Adult
Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Science, Genetics
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Christy Caldwell, University of California, Santa CruzThis well-produced documentary, Hot Potatoes explores the causes and social consequences of plant disease, unsustainable agriculture and reliance upon pesticides for the world’s food crops by examining the history of potato late blight. This plant disease most famously led to mass starvation in Ireland in the 19th century. Now late blight is again attacking potato crops around the world, including the United States. This is made all the more serious since the potato has become one of the world’s three most important sources of nutrition.
Although the subject of this documentary does not sound exciting, it does have an interesting and illustrative story to tell about the dangers of pathogenic resistance to chemicals and unsustainable agriculture. It adequately establishes why this is a serious global threat, provides appropriate statistics, and briefly covers the genetics behind resistance. Among those interviewed is American plant geneticist Dr. John Niederhauser, who was awarded the World Food Prize (agriculture’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize) for his contribution to finding the source of the potato late blight pathogen and his work on late blight resistant crops. Also interviewed is Dr. Rebecca Nelson, who studies potato blight in Peru. She has been awarded a Macarthur Genius Grant for her work.
The strength of this video is also its weakness: its very narrow focus. At a running time of 57 minutes, this is a very detailed examination. Recommended for college classes studying genetics with an emphasis on food crops, sustainable agriculture or similar subjects. The technical quality is excellent. This would make a superb addition to any college library with an agricultural focus.
Awards
- The Silver Chris Award, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
- Honorable Mention, National Press Club Journalism Awards
- Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
- Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival
- Cornell University Environmental Film Festival
- International Environmental Film Festival "Green Vision" in St. Petersburg