The sensuality of pie-making plays a come-hither role in the romantic drama “Labor Day,” the opening-night film of the 11-day movie binge known as the .
But the meat of the festival’s take on food will be served up when the locally produced documentary has its world premiere at 3 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
Denver director Mitch Dickman’s film recounts the story of Colorado Springs-area rancher and his visionary attempts to introduce sustainable agriculture practices into cattle ranching. Hanna (who took his life in 1998) appeared under the pseudonym Hank in Eric Schlosser’s 2001 bestseller “Fast Food Nation.”
While “Hanna Ranch” has a decidedly Colorado flavor, its implications are broader, says Schlosser, an executive producer on the film.
“Right now similar pressures are being faced by independent ranchers and farmers not only throughout the United States but also worldwide,” wrote Schlosser in an e-mail. “The values that so many ranchers and farmers hold dear — a belief that land isn’t just a commodity to be easily bought and sold; a desire to hand down a ranch or farm to the next generation; a long-term, not a short-term view — are in many ways at odds with the industrial agricultural system.”
The investigative journalist, who also penned “Food Inc.” will be on hand for the “Hanna Ranch” gala.
That premiere will be followed at noon Nov. 10 by a panel discussion at , 2350 Arapahoe St. on “The Land That Feeds Us,” featuring Schlosser, Matthew Jones of Slow Food USA, Colorado rancher Dale Lasater of , and the ‘s Chris Pague, moderated by chef of Root Down and Linger. The festival runs Nov. 6-17. (denverfilm.org.)
Lisa Kennedy: 303-954-1567, lkennedy@denverpost.com or twitter.com/bylisakennedy
