You need to watch the documentary ‘Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer’ now
The life of a farmer is far more difficult than anyone would imagine in this day and age. Yet no one pays mind to the people who grow and harvest all the fruits, vegetables, and meats we eat during our day. The new documentary Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer is trying now to focus on the hard work these people put into their craft.
Directed by Gary Beeber, Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer is already gathering massive buzz on the festival scene. If you need a new documentary to watch, add this one to your list now.
A simple potato farmer
Known as the proprietor and soul of Hungry Toad Farms in Centerville, Ohio, Michael Malone has been in the business for years growing organic potatoes for American families. Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer promises exactly what to expect in its title.
Focusing on his work as an organic farmer, the documentary gives Malone a chance to share the good and the bad of growing organic produce in the 21st century. Plus, viewers get to learn the story behind Hungry Toad Farms and how Malone became the farmer he is today.
Spotlight on interesting characters
Michael Malone is just one of hundreds of subjects director Gary Beeber shined a spotlight on. As a photographer & filmmaker, Beeber has met all sorts of personalities from all walks of life. Shining a light on their individual quirks, hopes, and dreams, Malone has a touch for giving the mundane an exciting twist.
From his Personalities photography series to his 2007 biographical short film Bally-Master, Beeber focuses on telling other people’s stories for the world to see. As Beeber puts it himself, “I am always drawn to subjects I find to be incongruous, and have often been told that I see things that other people don’t pay attention to.”
Even when discussing Malone, Beeber had nothing but wonderful things to say about his subject. “Michael Malone is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.”
Shining a light on the mundane
For some, it may seem like Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer is not the documentary we need now. But the truth is the doc couldn’t have come at a better time.
In the pandemic, jobs we took for granted became essential more than ever, and that includes the importance of America’s farmers. Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer puts a face to one of America’s thousands of farmers, and allows people to get to know the people helping to keep them fed.
That’s what so special about this documentary. A documentary all about a potato farmer on its own is fun, but nothing outstanding. But when you contextualize the documentary to right now, Gary Beeber couldn’t have released Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer at a better time.
With so much going on in the world, we need more projects like Michael Malone, Portrait of an American Organic Farmer to make the mundane special. As Gary Beeber continues his festival circuit with his new doc, we hope he’s already working on his next documentary.
