Vegucated is an incredible new guerrilla-style documentary that follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for six weeks. Lured with true tales of weight lost and health regained, they begin to uncover hidden sides of animal agriculture and soon start to wonder whether solutions offered in films like Food, Inc. go far enough. Before long, they find themselves risking everything to expose an industry they supported just weeks before.
MFA was lucky enough to catch up with Marisa Miller Wolfson, the filmmaker behind Vegucated, as she geared up for the nationwide release of the film. Here is what she had to say:
Tell us a little bit about yourself? How did a meat-and-potatoes woman from small town Indiana end up as a vegan filmmaker and activist in New York City?
It’s amazing how a couple of aha! moments can send you on a new trajectory. I was the anti-vegan growing up in Indiana. I made fun of the one veg person I knew. Then I lived with vegetarians in college and in NYC and never thought I would be one.
But, one Sunday, I attended a screening of an animal rights documentary at my church, went veg on the spot, and while I was there, grabbed a booklet about veganism. I read it on a plane trip three months later and was vegan by the time I landed.
Within months, I lost 15 lbs (of cheese), my energy level soared, and I fell in love with the way health food stores smelled and my new favorite foods tasted. Then I started organizing screenings of other veg-related documentaries, and that became a full-time job. But I noticed that there was a story that hadn’t been told before on film, and I decided to tell it.
What inspired you to make this film?
Partly, it was the stories of transformation that I was seeing all around me as people were going vegan from the documentary screenings I helped organize. I thought it would be cool to try to capture the process of going from meat-lover to herbivore in real time: one day we see someone eating a bacon cheeseburger and then we see them have their minds blown from the truth about animal agriculture. The documentary Super Size Me gave me the structure: turn it into an experiment and give it a specific time frame.
What’s been the typical reaction by the public to the film so far?
Laughter. People appreciate the humor most of all. We struck gold with the three film subjects we chose. They were compassionate, candid, hilarious, and ultimately inspiring.
It was so easy to relate to the real life experiences of Brian, Tesla and Ellen in the film as they made the transition to veganism. Can you tell us where they are in their vegan journeys now?
Now do you really think I’m going to give that away? [Laughs] I will say that they all made lasting changes, but they each landed in slightly different places. I think that reflects truth, and it’s also inspiring to show that everyone can move in a more compassionate direction, no matter where they’re starting from.
Brian and Tesla seemed particularly moved by their experiences rescuing an egg-laying hen and seeing for themselves the conditions at a pig farm. What do you think is the best way to get people to make the connection between the foods they eat and the animals who were killed to produce it?
That’s the question of the century! I think firsthand experience is the best. Seeing something with your own eyes gets rid of any doubt about what really goes on. And getting to spend time with animals where they get to be themselves and show off their personalities is super important. But if that’s not possible, I have to say film. If a picture is worth a thousand words, film is worth a million.
With the perfect balance of humor and charm mixed in with serious discussions, Vegucated is the kind of film you can share with your squeamish friends and family without scaring them off. What do you think is the most impactful, take-home message from the film?
That’s great to hear. Our goal was to make it as accessible as possible so that it could reach a wider audience. I hope the take-home message is that adopting a vegan diet is not only not crazy, it’s one of the most logical solutions to so many problems we’re facing. Plus, everyone can go more plant-based and enjoy great food and better health.
Where can people see Vegucated?
We’re launching our “Let’s Get America Vegucated!” Autumn 2011 tour starting with the U.S. premiere in NYC on Thursday, Oct. 13th. We’ll be traveling from sea to shining sea, hitting cities and film festivals and spreading the good word.
The first dates on the calendar are the Show Me Justice Film Fest outside of Kansas City on Oct. 15th, then Dallas on Oct. 22nd, Berkeley on Oct. 24th, and San Francisco on Oct. 25th.
Then, before the holidays we’ll release the film digitally and on DVD. Finally, next year we’re launching our community screenings campaign, so if you’d like to bring it to your town, you can sign up to host a screening. Stay tuned at GetVegucated.com to check for new tour dates and cities; they’re coming every week!
For a sneak peek, check out the Vegucated trailer:
What are some basic tips you can share for people just getting started with vegan living?
Keep trying new things. Don’t be afraid you’ll “miss” certain foods; our tastes change as we transition, and soon, you’ll be craving amazing vegan food.
Definitely do be proactive in finding support. There are so many vegans and online resources there to offer you help; it’s just a matter of plugging in and finding them.
Most importantly, consider it an adventure. You’re a culinary and cultural pioneer. Enjoy exploring the whole new delicious world in front of you while making the world a better place.
