Fast Food Nation-the movie/book
I'm not sure if its still in theaters, but Fast Food Nation is worth the $8!!! It got some pretty bad reviews, but don't listen to them. The non-fiction book has been dramatized and there are some well-known actors in the movie. I don't care about well know actors or anything, but it might get some people who normally wouldn't see such a film to see it and reach a different sector of society. I have to warn you though, some of it is pretty brutal, especially the slaughterhouse scenes at the end. I don't know how ANYONE could see this movie and then go eat an animal. I really think it will wake some people up to the horrors of the meat industry. Could help people who are on the fence about vegetarianism make the leap to the other side!
Anyone else seen it? Sorry if there is already a thread about this....I didn't see one though!
I look forward to seeing it! Although, I admit it will be on DVD before that happens. Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the review. I was wondering how they could make a movie of that book. I never read his book but have seen him interviewed before. I'll have to check it out when it comes out on DVD.
I was very moved by the book-- I haven't caught the film yet, but I ought to go watch it!
Thanks for the review!
I never read the book but I did see the movie. I thought it was worth the money to! The slaughterhouse scene at the end was hard for me to watch. I agree with you Little2ant, I don't know how anyone could watch this movie and still eat meat. I wish I could get some of my family members to go see it, but that's impossible. They would rather stay in denial.
They would rather stay in denial.
Too true! I recommended the book to my mom and she said, "Don't even DESCRIBE it to me-- I don't want to know what I should be worrying about!" She means it; she doesn't want to make the commitments and take the time and effort needed to do what she feels is right, but knows is inconvenient (and understands to be "balanced" and "healthy"). That's especially true because she knows it will gross her out and makes her feel sad; she feels she can't do what is needed to act upon the information she expects, so she doesn't want information that makes her feel inadequate and at-risk.
Congratulate yourselves, everyone-- at least some omnivorous people recognize that living veg*n takes extraordinary effort and commitment.
Try sending this to family members! I wouldn't dare, as mine thinks I am nutso enough.
http://www.backwardshamburger.com
It is a cartoon but makes you think......
Thought I'd bring this thread back to the top, as I think someone asked about the movie in another thread. It is out on DVD now, BTW. I already got it through NETflix. Not the greatest movie, but definitely worth your time....view it with an "on the fence" person!
For a second I thought ducky was back.
The movie is out on video and I plan to rent it soon. I am making my students read it this quarter.
Fast Food Nation is required reading at my high school, but sadly, most people shrug it off and one of my best friends calls it 'biased'. Another said reading the slaughterhouse part was 'pretty cool'. Human being depend on animals and nature for EVERYTHING. The least we can do is show them both a little respect.
I would definitely recommend reading the book! Eric Schlosser came to my college and gave an AWESOME lecture...I cannot wait to see the movie!
I have not seen the movie, but hope to soon (maybe with my family, hehehehe).
I have read the book, though, and thought it was excellent. I especially appreciated the way the impact of fast food was covered from many angles and set up in such a way as to let the reader make his own decision.
Although I had already been a longtime vegetarian when I read the book, I actually grew up very near one of the slaughterhouses described in it and can attest to the changes it created in the surrounding community, so that part in particular struck a chord with me.
I for one plan on neither reading the book nor watching the movie. I find that sort of thing so sickening and upsetting I can't stand to watch it. In fact, while I've seen some pictures and read, I've never watched any of that kind of footage.
But I'm a vegan in lifestyle and diet and so I don't feel obligated.
I do feel that the ethical thing for nonvegans to do is expose themselves to what's going on in animal production industries. That way, if they still decide to consume animals at least they'll know what they're contributing to.
I just watched the movie last night! It was done really well; I was surprised. I didn't think Linklater would have been able to cover so many angles in one (condensed) film. I just started reading the book over the weekend also, which seems great so far. My SO read the book and said the movie was a good semi-fictional summary of the book.
I still haven't seen the movie. Just read the book.
I think the most important aspect of Fast Food Nation is not about animals rights or how horrid slaughterhouses are (Schlosser isn't even a vegetarian) but about the politics of the meat industry. And how the meat industry, advertising, fast food, and Disney etc are all linked in ...odd ways. Plus all the parts about workers rights and unions. Those are things all people need to know whether you eat meat or not.
The book is not about meat. You know?
Yes, part of the book is gross. But sorry, I don't think that already being vegan excludes you from gaining more knowledge in related areas.
I have read a number of books that cite the health, environmental, and animal rights issues with eating meat, but Fast Food Nation was the first one I read that placed so much emphasis on the human rights aspects. I was horrified. It's bad enough to treat other species like crap but to treat your own species that way is even harder to understand. I mean, people who eat meat often don't think of animals as sentient creatures and that's (supposedly) why they have no compunction about treating them like objects (and eating them as well), but I would presume one human would consider another human sentient so it's even harder to understand how they could be so heartless, even cruel, in their treatment of another human. But then, I don't understand war, either. :(
Yeah, I've never read the book but I saw the movie. At the time the movie came out my husband and I were on the verge of vegetarianism. Then my husband watched meet your meat and that was pretty much it for us. We decided to be vegan in November. The politics of the meat industry turned us off and there was no question as to whether or not we would eat meat again.
I just rented the dvd and was hoping it would influence my boyfriend who is not veg. It didn't, not in the least bit. I was thinking before watching that it definitely would trigger something in him but afterwards I thought overall the film went a little easy on the whole issue than it could have. I closed my eyes to the slaughterhouse scenes and still had tears running down my face but that was it. I do plan on reading the book and know that it will be more in-depth, but honestly I thought the film could have done a better job.
In relation to this, does anyone have tips on turning a loved one on to your veg values? We have been together for almost two years, in which I've cooked and talked my heart out. Also- how do you deal with the emotions that come with being close to someone who just doesn't feel the same way you do about vegetarianism?
Thanks for any replies in advance!!
Does any body have any good 'book club' type questions for this book?
Bookmamma, you might be a good person to ask. Is there any websites that you know of that have lists of questions for popular books?
Awww, gee, tanevab, you put me on the spot :-[. I'm the AD for Children's Services so I've been out of the loop for adult resources for quite a few years now. I will ask some of my colleagues and get back to you on it, though.
Oh, my goodness, I just googled "book club questions" and came up with a number of sites. Give it a try!