“We, as a society, are accustomed to living in continuous uncertainty in an era of post-truth and deep hyperreality. Here, truth seems to resemble a menu from which everyone chooses what they like. This might be acceptable in specific cases, but when lives are at stake, following ambiguous criteria could be perilous.
I have worked extensively in South America. In Mendoza, Argentina, small communities suffer from the effects of the herbicide Glyphosate. In Eastern Bolivia, large monocultures have taken over once-small indigenous lands. In places like Peru and Ecuador, farmers lament the barrenness of their land after decades of intensive farming. Meanwhile, in Europe, where these risks seem distant, large agricultural corporations continue to promote a platform of perpetual doubt, where science often leans towards spectacle and marketing rather than the pursuit of knowledge and collective well-being. Consequently, there is a growing number of recent documentaries that expose the abuses within the food industry.
The Price of Progress should not be seen as an accusation against any particular industry. Instead, through all the debates, we aim to illustrate the motivations, needs, and logic of the people driving the current food chain.
Only by maintaining a non-aligned standpoint and adopting a neutral approach can we truly grasp the scale of the challenges we face.
Life and society are incredibly intricate. Behind the corporate visions of various industries are thousands of office workers sharing similar perspectives, which are more relatable than we might realize.
Therefore, to gain credibility, I have always aimed to allow everyone to clearly express their viewpoints and expectations.
Only through this approach can we objectively compare the industrial farming perspective with organic farming or any other alternative.
“In the coming decade, much is at stake. The eyes of the world are opening, and I believe history is presenting us with an opportunity to choose a better path. These times forecast resource scarcity, global warming, suffering, and significant conflicts—well-documented realities. Therefore, the choices we make regarding agriculture will be crucial in shaping our future. We must strive to better understand our society and the seriousness of the risks we face in the decades ahead.
Choosing wisely is paramount, and I hope this film contributes towards that goal.”
– Víctor Luengo, Director
