i really enjoyed this review -- right up to the point where the writer (lucia bozzola) let her political views seep, ever-so briefly,into the analysis. This is a terrific examination of the film. I,however, do not care to know her feelings, albeit brief and snarky, on the current administration, regardless if it somehow can be linkedinto the theme of the review. thanks.
Derby
***
It's been awhile since you wrote this. But I just saw the movie last night and was still up at 3:30 am thinking about it and wishing I could watch again without wondering what was going to happen. I loved your analysis, I love the way you write, and I wish I could take your film class!!!! Interestingly, I didn't realize you were a woman until the end. AHA! A slightly different take than the other articles I read. It was a treat! When we walked out of the theater, my 17-year old son exclaimed: "That movie sucked!" And then, "It was the best movie I've ever seen!" I guess he got it.
While Dagoba chocolate does tell a very persuasive story, and has an excellent marketing department, they are in fact now a wholly owned subsidiary of Hershey's. Hershey's has been named in a lawsuit, along with Nestle and Mars with regards to it's cocoa buying practises in East Africa primarily. Namely that indentured and out right slave labour is used in the chocolate they produce.
The American government enacted the Hart-Engel's protocol way back in 2002 trying to force these big multinationals to stop these practises. All of the big companies promised to do something about it, not denying that the practise exists, and yet the deadline for enactment has come and gone.
Meanwhile the parent company of Dagoba continues to buy it's cocoa from East Africa. This is a multi billion dollar industry.
Not only that, while Dagoba has always carried a wide range of bars, some 13 or 14 flavours, only _one_ of their bars has ever been certified Fair Trade. The origins of the rest of the cocoa they use has remained a mystery. This is a clear case of green washing, and your author fell for it hook line and sinker.
If it doesn't have the black and white Fair Trade logo on it, it isn't.
Thanks!
Rodd
Response:
You’re right, I fell for it.
The Dagoba bar I referred to as fair trade in my column (Chai) does not have fair trade certification. According to Dagoba’s web site, their Conacado 73% and Milagros 68% are Fair Trade Certified, as well as their hot chocolate, cocoa powder and chocolate syrup, plus the coffee they use in some of their products. (I would gladly try these, but my chocolate budget is shot through April.)
None of the other Dagoba bars is touted as fair trade. For the record, the only Fair Trade Certified bar I sampled in that column seems to be Green & Black’s Maya Gold.
I’m doing some late night research on Herbal Soup Recipes containing ingredients with high health benefits and I was stuck on a recipe with chard – something I’ve never had. I was so sick of reading freaking articles about chard… and then I came across yours. I feel like I’ve eaten it now. Plus, it made me laugh. Thanks for the smile. I’d had a super crap-tastic day and needed it. I love your writing style.
