Watch David vs. Monsanto

David vs. Monsanto is a 2009 documentary film that showcases the plight of a Canadian canola farmer named Percy Schmeiser as he goes head-to-head with the multinational biotech corporation, Monsanto. The movie follows Percy Schmeiser's fight for justice starting in the year 1998. Monsanto was testing genetically modified canola seeds in fields around Schmeiser's farm in Bruno, Saskatchewan, and Percy found that some of his canola plants had become genetically modified without his knowledge or permission. Monsanto accused Percy of "pirating" their proprietary seeds and sued him in court.

What followed was a 10-year-long legal battle that became known as the "David versus Goliath" case. Schmeiser refused to back down, even after Monsanto sent investigators to test his canola fields and accuse him of intentionally planting their seeds.

David versus Monsanto is a powerful account of the struggles of independent farmers and the power of corporate giants. It reveals how Monsanto, a powerful biotech corporation, engages in heavy-handed tactics to maintain its dominance in the agribusiness sector.

The film interviews Percy Schmeiser and his wife, Louise, as they talk about their experiences fighting Monsanto. They speak of the financial difficulties and emotional stress that they had to endure through the years of fighting the lawsuit. They also recount how the case was taken all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court, and their experiences there.

The documentary interviews experts and lawyers well versed with Monsanto's tactics and the legal implications of genetic modification in crops. The movie sets out to explore the broader implications of the David versus Goliath case and what it reveals about the dangerous intersection of corporate power and modern biotech.

The documentary aims to educate viewers on the crucial role played by independent farmers in agriculture and the impact of large corporations on their livelihood. Percy's story shows the reality behind the agribusiness industry, emphasizing how farmers have lost control of their lands and the detrimental impact the GMO industry has on our food and environment.

David vs. Monsanto has become a clarion call against the dangers of genetic modification, as well as a rallying cry for action against the injustices faced by small farmers. The documentary has been screened in countries worldwide and has won several awards.

The film's director and producer, Bertram Verhaag, provides a gripping account of one farmer's struggle against a mighty corporation. He communicates the importance of protecting farmers, seeds, and biodiversity, and warns of the dangers posed by a food system controlled by a few powerful entities.

Overall, David vs. Monsanto is an eye-opening documentary that delves into the harsh reality of farmers' lives and the frightening impact of genetic modification. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the control of the food industry by monolithic corporations and the efforts of brave individuals like Percy Schmeiser to resist them.

David vs. Monsanto is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes.