SEED tells the harrowing and heartening story of humans' long standing relationship with seeds. As many irreplaceable seeds near extinction, SEED follows farmers, scientists, and seed collectors protecting the diversity of 12,000 years of agriculture. Their story unveils a David and Goliath battle for the future of our seeds.
Inside a seed is the story of the rise and fall of civilizations. Seeds lie at the crux of the world’s cultures and ecosystems. SEED will dramatically tell the history of seed industrialization and how our seed supply has been monopolized by biotech corporations who control seeds through patents and genetic modification. The future of our seeds are now at stake.
SEED will take us to the roots of North American agriculture. As we journey to the Tesuque Pueblo, Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Hopi Nation, we capture the story of Native Americans reconnecting to their seeds. They say, "The corn is our soul. We are people of the corn." They are concerned that GMOs are being planted and could contaminate their thousand year history. Emigdio Ballon, is working with the Pueblo to reinvigorate their ancient traditions. They're growing native seeds to prepare for climate change and to serve the cultural necessities of their communities.
Dustin Barca, a surfer, boxer and local hero, leads 2,000 people in an anti-GMO march in Kauai, Hawaii, to protect their community and their future. Throughout Hawaii Monsanto, Syngenta and Dow experiment with toxic chemicals and pesticides on seed test plots. In this "paradise," we follow the families that have been devastated by these chemical sprays.
Vandana Shiva gives voice to farmers and seed savers. Through an unrelentless passion, she has started hundreds of seed banks around India and forged a movement to restore ancestral seed varieties. Vandana helps Suman, a young tribal woman, to take the courage to save her village’s seeds. When her family goes into severe debt from industrializing their farm, Suman saves her family’s farm by reintroducing the forgotten seeds. She is now a local hero in her community, giving voice to women and to seeds.
SEED: The Untold Story will reveal the awe, wonder and hidden beauty of seeds. It will ignite the imagination of audiences, inspiring them to be part of a new movement to help strengthen seed diversity, unearthing the resilience and power that all seeds have to sustain, enliven and enrich our humanity.
