WOW FILM FESTIVAL: FIRST WE EAT | REVIEW
Dir: Suzanne Crocker (PG, 101 mins)
Suzanne Crocker and her family take the decision to eat 100% local for a year, eating only food that is locally grown, reared, foraged, fished, or hunted. They say goodbye to the groceries and the grocery store, and have a last cup of tea with mixed feelings. First We Eat demonstrates the reality of going back to one’s hunter-gatherer roots, and the hard work involved. It records the Crocker family’s emotions as they all miss certain foods – craving sandwiches, sugar, and salt, amongst other staples. The dubious teenagers find getting accustomed to new foods is not always straightforward.
There is, however, a true understanding and appreciation of the source of food here, and the time it takes to grow, cultivate, and prepare various foods is explored – and, indeed, how much of it we typically waste. Issues of sustainability are raised from local farmers. This is a true insight into living wild, with a family experiencing the highs and lows of it and developing a renewed appreciation for their local food sources. Yes, some of the practices are a little unconventional, but show the extent to which it’s possible to obtain what you need.
With stunning scenery, the landscape of North Canada where the film is set, is breathtaking, and contributes to an inspiring film, urging us to realise how much we our 21st-century palate takes for granted. Taking a step back, we see how going local offers a quite different perspective on food: reliance on weather, plants growing and crops not failing, plays a part. The sense of community can be felt; reliance on other sources of food in the area is appreciated, increasing what is available. The region’s climate is also a challenge, temperatures sometimes dropping to -40°C.
First We Eat’s overarching question, if it is possible to feed a family on only local food, yields interesting results.
Available to watch as part of the Wales One World Film Festival until Wed 17 Mar. A Q&A also takes place at 9pm UK time on Thurs 11 Mar. Info and streaming: here. All films being shown as part of WOW are free to watch following registration; there are 200 ‘passes’ available for each film, although a few are sold out in advance.
words EMILY EDWARDS