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Films Document GM Foods and Portland Bike Art

Two documentaries will be shown Friday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Salem's Grand Theatre as part of Willamette University's sustainability conference. "The Future of Food" focuses on unlabeled, genetically engineered foods in U.S. grocery stores, and "Martinis in the Bike Lane" takes a look at the unique bike lane markings in Portland, Ore. Tickets are $5 at the door for the general public. Refreshments will be provided by LifeSource Natural Foods, a wind-powered store that sells a large selection of local organic produce.

Shot on location in the United States, Canada and Mexico, "The Future of Food" examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what people eat. The film focuses on farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted by genetically modified (GM) food technology, and explores health implications, government policies and alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, pointing to organic and sustainable agriculture as solutions to the farm crisis.

"If you eat food, you need to see 'The Future of Food,'" wrote Newstarget.com. The Telluride Daily Planet wrote, "This stylish film is not just for food faddists and nutritionists. It is a look at something we might not want to see: Monsanto, Roundup and Roundup-resistant seeds, collectively wreaking havoc on American farmers and our agricultural neighbors around the world. In the end, this documentary is a eloquent call to action." The film was named Best Documentary in Willamette's 2007 Mid-Valley Video Festival.

"Martinis in the Bike Lane" is a documentary short that looks at Portland's bike art and infamous bike lane stencil characters, and what it is about Portland that seems to nurture the quirky art form. The film won Best Documentary Short in the Mid-Valley Film Festival.

The Grand Theatre is at 187 High St. NE in Salem, Ore. The event is sponsored by LifeSource and Willamette University. For information call Lori Beamer at (503) 361-7973 or (503) 910-6435 or visit www.willamette.edu/events/sustainability/.

04-10-2007