Planet in Focus

$5 Screening

Motivated by personal tragedy, aspiring journalist Manjusha launches an investigation into the epidemic of farmer suicides in India for her final college assignment. Armed with a small camera from the film’s production team, Manjusha takes on her neighbour Ram Krishna’s plight as a farmer deep in debt and unable to provide for his family.

Like many struggling farmers, Ram Krishna has borrowed money to purchase genetically modified cotton seeds (BT-cotton)—which promise to be resistant to disease—from biotech giant Monsanto. Now, with everything on the line, he is fighting the threat of a disastrous season due to a mealy bug invasion, a common problem with genetically modified seeds.

This multiple award-winning documentary is a gripping portrait of a region under pressure, a young woman coming of age and a farmer’s fight to save his land and his life.

Oxfam Global Justice Award, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
Green Competition Award, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
Jury Award, Green Film Festival in Seoul
Official Selection, Telluride Film Festival