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The Chocolate Farmer
2010
1 h 11 min
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This full-length documentary takes us to an unspoiled corner of southern Belize, where cacao farmer and father Eladio Pop manually works his plantation in the tradition of his Mayan ancestors: as a steward of the land. The film captures a year in the life of the Pop family as they struggle to preserve their values in a world that is dramatically changing around them. A lament for cultures lost, The Chocolate Farmer challenges our deeply held assumptions of progress.
This full-length documentary takes us to an unspoiled corner of southern Belize, where cacao farmer and father Eladio Pop manually works his plantation in the tradition of his Mayan ancestors: as a steward of the land. The film captures a year in the life of the Pop family as they struggle to preserve their values in a world that is dramatically changing around them. A lament for cultures lost, The Chocolate Farmer challenges our deeply held assumptions of progress.
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cinematographyRohan FernandoPaul Cowan
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editorHannele Halm
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sound recordistAram Kouyoumdjian
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sound designAlex Salter
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original musicAsif Illyas
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producerAnnette Clarke
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writerRohan Fernando
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directorRohan Fernando
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production supervisorPatsy CoughranCandice Desormeaux
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location managerCarolle Crooks
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production co-ordinatorRoberto Pop
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additional cinematographyBrent Toombs
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transcription servicesLisa Clarke
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post-production coordinatorSteve Hallé
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title designPhilippe Raymond
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online editorDoug Woods
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re-recordingJean Paul Vialard
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production coordinatorStephanie CoolenVanessa Larsen
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marketingKelley Alexander
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centre administratorJohn William Lutz
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executive producerKent MartinRavida Din
Ages 16 to 17
Study Guide
School subjects
Ask film students to examine: the use of individual voices, rather than an external narrator; how documentary can raise awareness about economic and political issues; appropriate degrees of bias in documentary. Have students examine the history of activism in Central America and the role of other countries. Have them explore current conditions in Belize (e.g., eco-tourism, the state of cooperatives and/or the economy), through strategies such as Thinking Hats and concept mapping.