Watch Connected By Coffee

Connected By Coffee is a heartwarming documentary film that was released in 2014. The movie explores the story of coffee and takes the viewer on a journey to different coffee-producing countries in Central and South America. The film aims to educate people about the livelihoods of coffee farmers and the struggles they face every day.

The movie is directed by Aaron Dennis and produced by Paul Leeming. The film's protagonist is Matt Earley, a specialty coffee roaster from Charlotte, North Carolina. Matt is a passionate coffee lover who believes in fair trade practices and ethical sourcing of coffee beans. He travels with his friend Chris Treter, the founder of Higher Grounds Trading Company, and explores the lives of coffee growers and the challenges they face.

The movie is divided into several segments, each depicting a different story about coffee growers. The first segment is about a coffee cooperative in Guatemala called La Voz. The documentary showcases how the coffee cooperative has helped its members improve their lives by providing fair pay for their coffee beans. The farmers talk about how they used to struggle to make ends meet, but now they have a stable income that helps them provide for their families.

The film then moves on to Colombia, where Matt and Chris visit Andrea, a coffee farmer who has struggled to keep her farm afloat. The documentary shows how Andrea's situation is not unique and how many coffee farmers face similar issues every year. The segment highlights the importance of educating consumers about the struggles of coffee farmers and the significant impact that buying fair trade coffee can have on the lives of these farmers.

Later in the movie, the documentary explores the issue of child labor in coffee-producing countries. The filmmakers visit a school in Costa Rica that was set up to provide education to children who had previously worked on coffee farms. The students talk about how they used to work long hours in the fields and how their education has given them hope for a better future. This segment of the movie sheds light on the darker side of the coffee industry and the steps being taken to address this issue.

The documentary then travels to Peru, where the filmmakers meet a group of women farmers who have formed a coffee cooperative. The filmmakers show how the cooperative empowers women by giving them a voice and helping them to become self-sufficient. This segment of the movie highlights the importance of equality in the coffee industry and how it can benefit everyone involved.

Overall, Connected By Coffee is an engaging and informative documentary that explores the world of coffee growers and their struggles. The movie is beautifully shot and effectively showcases the importance of fair trade practices and ethical sourcing of coffee beans. The film is a must-watch for coffee lovers who want to learn more about the origins of their favorite drink and the people who grow it. The documentary is inspiring and shows how small changes can have a significant impact on the lives of coffee farmers.

Connected By Coffee is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.