King Corn (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King Corn |
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King Corn theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Aaron Woolf |
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| Distributed by | Balcony Releasing |
| Release date(s) | April 13, 2007 (Wisconsin Film Festival) October 12, 2007 (United States) |
| Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
King Corn is a documentary film from 2007. It follows two college friends, Ian Cheney and Curtis Ellis. They move from Boston to Greene, Iowa to grow an acre of corn. This journey also takes them back to where their families originally came from.
In the film, Cheney and Ellis explore why so much corn is grown in America. They show how this affects American society. The film also explains how government help, called subsidies, encourages farmers to grow huge amounts of corn. By looking at the history of corn in America, they discover that many foods we eat contain corn.
Contents
Understanding Corn's Big Role
The film shows how farming has changed a lot. The idea of a small family farm is almost gone. Instead, large industrial farms are becoming more common. Cheney and Ellis suggest this change is part of a bigger shift in how food is made in North America.
How Government Decisions Affect Farming
The film explains that decisions about what crops to grow are often based on money. The government can influence these choices. Sometimes, these decisions do not consider the real effects on the environment or society.
The Rise of High Fructose Corn Syrup
One example shown in the film is high fructose corn syrup. This is a sweet ingredient found in many cheap foods, like fast food. A study at Princeton University found that eating high fructose corn syrup caused more weight gain in rats than regular sugar. The film suggests there is a link between more corn syrup production and rising rates of obesity.
From Family Farms to Big Business
With new technologies and a high demand for corn, traditional family farms are changing. They are being replaced by larger corporate farms. The filmmakers hope King Corn will make people more aware of what happens when too much corn is produced.
Making the Film: King Corn
Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis decided to make this film because they felt embarrassed. As college graduates, they realized they did not know where their food came from. For the director, Aaron Woolf, making the film was a chance to learn hands-on.
Challenges in Production
One big challenge was getting money for the film. Many people found the idea boring and did not understand what the filmmakers wanted to achieve. Another difficulty was creating the stop-motion animation parts, which took a lot of time. Also, the two main stars, Ian and Curt, were shy. They did not want to be on camera for the first six months of filming.
What the Filmmakers Wish They Had Included
Looking back, the filmmakers wish they had shown more about how industrial farming affects the environment. They saw the fertilizers and chemicals they used seep into a nearby stream. They also regret not being able to discuss climate change in the film.
Images for kids
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King Corn theatrical poster
