Earth to Mouth
2002
41 min
Coming soon
Filmed at the Wing Fong Farm in Ontario, this documentary follows the tilling, planting and harvesting of Asian vegetables destined for Chinese markets and restaurants. On 80 acres of land, Lau King-Fai, her son and a half-dozen migrant Mexican workers care for the plants. For Yeung Kwan, her son, the farm represents personal and financial independence. For his mother, it is an oasis of peace. For the Mexican workers, it provides jobs that help support their children back home.
Details
Filmed at the Wing Fong Farm in Ontario, this documentary follows the tilling, planting and harvesting of Asian vegetables destined for Chinese markets and restaurants. On 80 acres of land, Lau King-Fai, her son and a half-dozen migrant Mexican workers care for the plants. For Yeung Kwan, her son, the farm represents personal and financial independence. For his mother, it is an oasis of peace. For the Mexican workers, it provides jobs that help support their children back home.
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directorYung Chang
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picture editorHannele Halm
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cinematographerFrançois Vincelette
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sound recordistAlain Tremblay
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sound editorDon Ayer
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original musicChris Crilly
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musicianJon GeareyTimothy Bruce HallidayDave GossageChris Crilly
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on-line technicianSylvain DesbiensDenis Pilon
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re-recordingSerge Boivin
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production co-ordinatorAlice Ngan
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title designGaspard Gaudreau
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translationAlice NganMichael LaiMargaret WongMonica ChiuMaria JimErnesto Cuba Lopez
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digital editing technicianChaz Oliver
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post-production coordinatorClaude Cardinal
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production clerkSia Koukoulas
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program administratorMarie Tonto-DonatiNickie Merulla
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producerGermaine Ying Gee Wong
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executive producerSally Bochner
Education
Ages 15 to 17
Arts Education - Music
Diversity - Identity
Geography - Territory: Agricultural
Health/Personal Development - Healthy Eating, Nutrition
Discuss film’s artistic values in music and photography. Discuss the ways the mother sustains her identity, including social life, behaviour, attitudes. Students write essays describing the ways they reinforce their own identities. Discuss how farm experience affects migrant Mexicans. What is status of international migrant workers in Canada? Does film romanticize life on the farm? Students write essay on any aspects of this situation that they would treat differently if they remade film.
