Educational Media Reviews Online

Gardens of Destiny is a film about the dangers of large-scale industrial agriculture and the benefits of small-scale organic farming. The focus is on Dan Jason, an organic gardener of Salt Springs Island, Canada. Jason is the head of the Seed and Plant Sanctuary where he tries to maintain endangered heritage varieties of plants and seeds. He claims that his organization is different from a typical seed bank in that he has created a “living gene bank”, rather than just a storage facility for seeds.

There are several points made throughout the film that are discussed by various “experts”, including Guy Dauncey, a sustainable future author; an eco-justice lawyer; and a “food policy and food assessment specialist”. These points cover such topics as the superior taste of organic foods, monocultures, the cancer-fighting properties of organic food, pollution from chemicals used in modern farming, and Genetically Modified Organisms (“genetic pollution”, as the film puts it). I would have liked to see more science and a wider range of opinions.

It is fascinating to see Jason’s garden and learn about the variety of plants he is growing. However, the film is biased, which will be obvious whether or not one is in agreement that modern farming is dangerous, or that the government is turning a blind eye to these dangers. The film quality is not great, but watchable; although it is rather awkward when the narrator suddenly begins conversing with Jason.

If anything, this film would best be used as a discussion point, either in a classroom or group setting. Libraries might consider adding this to their collections, but I think there are higher quality films of this genre out there, such as King Corn or Michael Pollan’s The Botany of Desire. Gardens of Destiny is suitable to those interested in the benefits of organic food, but overall, this film is recommended with reservations.