by Mark Maxwell Abushady, NYC

Film

A River of Waste: The Hazardous Truth about Factory Farms
A film by Don McCorkell
Cinema Libre Studio/ Tumbleweed Arts Projects
www.aRiverOfWaste.com
If the title of this film frightens you; if the photo of the very sad looking pig on the cover of the DVD makes you wary of unbearably painful shots of suffering animals, do not worry. The angle this film takes is not to shock with images of animal cruelty and suffering. Rather, the main thrust of this film is the absolute degradation of both environment, and human health, which factory farms – or CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) cause.

Appealing to the logical mind, the film repeatedly asks how we can teach developing countries not to dump sewage near streams and lakes while allowing large, U.S. corporate factory farms to dump hundreds of millions of pounds of animal sewage near bodies of water. The film briefly traces the development of factory farms with an effective opening montage, and continues with interviews of professionals in the environmental and medical fields, and laudable politicians who have tried to confront the issues surrounding factory farming. Areas suffering the greatest environmental impact are visited with fine visual documentation of the effects on the land and water. Drew Edmondson, Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, is particularly elucidating, as he describes the issues which prompted him to launch a lawsuit against Tyson, Cargill, Willow Brook, Cobb and other factory poultry producers. The events surrounding the pfiesteria outbreak in the Chesapeake Bay area, ammonia pollution, indiscriminate antibiotic usage, odors, arsenic use as a growth stimulator, animal welfare, disease, avian flu and, of course, sewage waste, are examined in detail over the course of the film, with some heartbreaking stories about high rates of cancer deaths in children in areas near CAFO operations. Should it be surprising to hear that this industry has bought politicians, funded bogus scientific studies, AND, while stating that corroborating evidence of health and environmental issues does not exist, spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to legally stop the taking of soil and water samples? Threats against individuals who would rally against CAFO practices are also documented. Perhaps vegans and vegetarians are one step beyond this film, but, when one questions if their spinach salad is contaminated from factory farm runoff, we realize that the issue of factory farming affects the food supply for all of us.

Oh My God
A film by Peter Rodger
Produced, Written and Directed by Peter Rodger
Music: Alexander Van Bubenheim
www.omgmovie.com
Stunning landscapes and seemingly disparate images worldwide, conveying the vast variety of customs, thoughts, beliefs, and lifestyles of the human population coalesce as the viewer is subtly introduced to the idea that we are all connected by the concept of God. So begins this movie documenting Peter Rodger’s quest into the nature of God and religious explanations and teachings of God; a quest initiated by his own exasperation with religion’s warfare and intolerance.

Traveling around the world, interviewing public and religious figures from many different lands and belief systems, we hear the beliefs of born-again Christians, fundamentalist Moslems, more moderate members of both religions, as well as Buddhists, Aboriginal and Native American holy men, Rabbis, and more. Statements from Hugh Jackman, Ringo Starr, Seal, and Sir Bob Geldof are also included. Illusionist David Copperfield relates a fascinating story of a man asking him to heal his son, not understanding the nature of his illusionist act. There are, in fact, a number of ear-catching quotes from some locally revered holy persons and historians from around the world, but the film reaches its pitch in Jerusalem, where Rabbi Menachem Froman and Ibrahim Abu El-Hawa converse and embrace. This, as an illustration of the Rabbi’s words; “God doesn’t reveal himself in any creature, in any part of creation, but in the relations between the parts of creation.”

Music

Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Buddy Comfort
Tellurian Records
www.buddycomfort.com
“ Dedicated to the vision and reverence for all life inspired by St. Francis of Assisi,” Brother Sun, Sister Moon is a collection of positive, life-affirming songs, some prayer-like in quality, led by Buddy Comfort’s warm, gentle baritone in mostly classic folk style, accompanied on keyboard (Warren Dennis Kahn), violin (Alasdair Fraser), cello (David Darling), Celtic harp (Margie Butler), soprano sax (Marcia Miget), and English hand bells (Kathie Fink). Opening songs, composed by Donovan Leitch, are accessible, and uplifting. St. Francis and the Eagle, one of several original compositions, is one of a number of jewels on this album, with beautiful, heartfelt words and music beautifully set. Love is the Night is one of the most tender love songs you will ever hear – it gave me chills! A Tibetan monk chant-like setting of Shaker hymn ‘What Wondrous Love is This’ is absolutely entrancing. A talented songwriter, I look forward to hearing more from this artist.

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.