Cinematic Superhero

My cousin Lisa, aware of my lifelong vegetarianism, sent me an article on the subject which appeared in the Times Magazine this weekend. Written by Jonathan Safran Foer, it’s a beautiful articulation of his transformation to a vegetarian diet.

It’s funny, we were having our thanksgiving dinner last night  (which included shrimp), and the article came up in the decision. Then, after dinner, my dad turned on Larry King and who should be on but JSF, himself.

He was part of a debate regarding the health and safety of meat (specifically beef) consumption following yet another recent e coli outbreak. The guests consisted of three other people. The other pro-vegetarian was Dr. Colin Campbell, professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell, who said the research is conclusive now that a plant based diet is far more healthful than an animal based one, and that there is no need for animal products (especially meat) at all.

The pro meat panelists included a celebrity chef and the director of sport nutrition at U CONN, and although they were intelligent, it was clear they were out gunned. From the conversation I saw that both philosophically and statistically there really is no way to excuse meat consumption. It’s bad for the animals, it’s bad for the earth, it’s bad for us. Over and over again, the defense of meat was, “But it tastes so good.”

(Well, the nutritionist did say that small amounts of lean animal protean did provide nutrients which it would be much more difficult to find in a plant based diet… but this was contested by Dr. Campbell.)

If you want, you can find the transcript here. You have to scroll half way down before getting to the discussion.

This brings me to the question of fish and seafood, which I have been eating regularly for the last 5 years, or so.

As for seafood, if it’s wild or ecologically farmed, then PERHAPS it’s not so bad. But, fish stocks in the ocean are dwindling from overfishing and a lot of the techniques used to catch the fish (and other seafood) like bottom trawling can be extremely destructive to the local ecosystem. So, it’s definitely a grey area as to what is sustainable and what is not.

I am really on the fence for what I should do…

Basically, there are just too many people on the planet for us (the western world) to be living the way we’re living. India and China want to be live like us, and more and more people are being born everyday… Something’s gotta give.

Sorry, this has somehow become a very depressing post : )

Sue Biely is a force of nature.

During breakfast yesterday, en route to the airport, we discussed all things under the sun — work, the environment, relationships, love.

Perhaps most exciting, she shared with me her current vision (now in the works) for a media consulting (and fulfillment) firm bringing together some of the most  progressive and creative  young minds in the local media landscape. Basically, a hands on, one stop shop for all your media needs. She’s calling it  Nudge and her expertise and massive network alone will guarantee its success.  I think the whole thing is genius, and am scrambling now to come up with ways I can contribute.

Funny, because I’ve also been mulling over the idea of starting a consulting firm of my own… The name I was considering: Playing Field Media… Either that or MangoKidMedia…

Hmmm, if Sue’s doing it, maybe I don’t have to?

Terry Miles is the most prolific man in the universe… well, at least the most prolific film maker.

Easily. Hands down.

I saw his new feature at VIFF today, The Red Rooster, a beautifully shot drama centering around two estranged brothers played by real life brothers Casey and Jesse Manderson. The beautiful and talented Kristine Cofsky fills out the love triangle around which the story centres.

Yes, Terry wrote, directed, produced, shot and edited the film. But to anyone who knows Terry, that’s hardly news.

What’s really remarkable is that this is the second year in a row he’s had a feature at VIFF. And, in not only that, somewhere along the way he’s also found time to write, direct, produce, shoot and edit a 20+ episode fantasy web series and accompanying alternate reality game called the Ennead.

Seriously Terry, how do you do it? You are an inspiration!

Here’s the Red Rooster Trailer:

THE RED ROOSTER – Teaser from Cinemanovel Films on Vimeo.