September 17, 2023
FILM: INTO THE WEEDS
DIRECTED BY: JENNIFER BAICHWAL
STARRING: DEWAYNE “LEE” JOHNSON
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
We’ve all heard that there are potentially cancer-causing chemicals in many consumer products that attempt to make our lives easier. DeWayne “Lee” Johnson found out the hard way that his use of the chemical components in the weed killer Roundup, which he used as part of his job spraying school grounds in the California Bay Area, would lead to a devastating cancer diagnosis, specifically Non-Hodgkins Lymphona. The documentary Into the Weeds explores the details surrounding this product’s components and how Johnson’s case against the parent company Monsanto led to a groundbreaking trial in 2018. Featuring footage from the trial along with interviews with lawyers, other afflicted cancer victims, and Johnson himself, Into the Weeds attempts to make consumers aware of just how dangerous such a commonly used toxic product as this is.
Filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal succeeds big time as she provides details as to how the specific chemical in Roundup, glyphosate, has been used on farmlands for decades to kill weeds. Corn, soy, peanuts, and just about any farm grown plant is often covered with it. Insects are effected too. Part of what she explores here, through discussions with many lawyers, is that Monsanto knew about the dangers of the chemical but did not warn those who used it. The trial featured in the film brings all of the facts to light and there’s little that Baichwal leaves out. She includes news reports, specific text from EPA documents, and details from damaging emails and testimonies by Monsanto employees.
It’s also interesting to see how wide reaching the issue became. Protests are shown from all over the world against the corporate giant. Sadly, as Baichwal’s interviewees point out, the EPA tends to side with the corporations over the consumers. This leaves someone like Johnson with a long-term illness that, in his case, has led to skin lesions over most of his body.
All of this is disturbing to see and hear about but that is precisely why a film like Into the Woods exists and should be seen. It provides further reminders that there are such dangers out there and we shouldn’t settle for non-returned calls or emails to corporate headquarters. The film advocates that we must fight the corporations that are hurting us and the environment. Witnessing Johnson’s struggle and his heroic persistence can, and should be, a promising wake-up call to all of us.
Into the Weeds will be screened in select theaters as a special event on October 3rd. Go to FathomEvents.com to find a screening near you and to purchase tickets.
FILM: INTO THE WEEDS
DIRECTED BY: JENNIFER BAICHWAL
STARRING: DEWAYNE “LEE” JOHNSON
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
We’ve all heard that there are potentially cancer-causing chemicals in many consumer products that attempt to make our lives easier. DeWayne “Lee” Johnson found out the hard way that his use of the chemical components in the weed killer Roundup, which he used as part of his job spraying school grounds in the California Bay Area, would lead to a devastating cancer diagnosis, specifically Non-Hodgkins Lymphona. The documentary Into the Weeds explores the details surrounding this product’s components and how Johnson’s case against the parent company Monsanto led to a groundbreaking trial in 2018. Featuring footage from the trial along with interviews with lawyers, other afflicted cancer victims, and Johnson himself, Into the Weeds attempts to make consumers aware of just how dangerous such a commonly used toxic product as this is.
Filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal succeeds big time as she provides details as to how the specific chemical in Roundup, glyphosate, has been used on farmlands for decades to kill weeds. Corn, soy, peanuts, and just about any farm grown plant is often covered with it. Insects are effected too. Part of what she explores here, through discussions with many lawyers, is that Monsanto knew about the dangers of the chemical but did not warn those who used it. The trial featured in the film brings all of the facts to light and there’s little that Baichwal leaves out. She includes news reports, specific text from EPA documents, and details from damaging emails and testimonies by Monsanto employees.
It’s also interesting to see how wide reaching the issue became. Protests are shown from all over the world against the corporate giant. Sadly, as Baichwal’s interviewees point out, the EPA tends to side with the corporations over the consumers. This leaves someone like Johnson with a long-term illness that, in his case, has led to skin lesions over most of his body.
All of this is disturbing to see and hear about but that is precisely why a film like Into the Woods exists and should be seen. It provides further reminders that there are such dangers out there and we shouldn’t settle for non-returned calls or emails to corporate headquarters. The film advocates that we must fight the corporations that are hurting us and the environment. Witnessing Johnson’s struggle and his heroic persistence can, and should be, a promising wake-up call to all of us.
Into the Weeds will be screened in select theaters as a special event on October 3rd. Go to FathomEvents.com to find a screening near you and to purchase tickets.