(CBS Local)--15 years after stuffing his face with McDonald's food for 30 straight days, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is back with a brand new documentary. He said a franchise company has offered to open his restaurants across the country, but no deal has been made yet. It all paid off. Spurlock has gone from being an avid Big Mac consumer in "Super Size Me" to serving his own chicken sandwiches in "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!" -- a sober look at an industry that processes 9 . A big reason was the title recognition he had. Morris and his lawyers hoped Super Size Me 2 would do the same. Since Spurlock left the public eye, Warrior Poets has come under fire as seven former employees told Jezebel that the company had a fratty, boys club culture. His sandwiches are wrapped in paper that says: "Better for you -- sounds great, means nothing." Bettering himself and making amends doesnt have to happen in the public eye, he says, so he resigned from his production company and stepped out of the spotlight. ", Morgan Spurlock's latest project appears to be a complete reversal -- as 15 years ago he made himself sick eating nothing but McDonalds fast food for an entire month -- chronicled in is Oscar-nominated film "Super Size Me.". Success can mean proving that you can run a chicken place that has a healthier relationship with its suppliers and customers than the industry currently extends, even if it still serves fried chicken with grill marks painted on it. I did not know that, replied the guy. "Something I also had never talked about. In Super Size Me 2, which was yanked from the 2018 Sundance slate after Spurlock stepped away and now marks his comeback a year later, he is both. The activist documentarian Morgan Spurlock blended Michael Moore-style showmanship with Gen X bro appeal in his 2004 debut feature Super Size Me, a relentless examination of the fast food industry. And, you know, I got sober 640-plus days ago and it's been the greatest thing. "Family farm, mom and pop operations will not be in existence probably in five more years because of this if this goes through," said chicken farmer Jonathan Buttram. explores the chicken industry as Spurlock opens his own chicken farm and fast food restaurant. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? This time, he's the one dishing out the fried stuff. Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! In light of this situation, we have decided not to distribute Super Size Me 2 on YouTube Red.. Now I'm at the point of my journey where I'm reaching out to the people and starting to make amends. Business Insider reached out to numerous independent film insiders and asked if they thought Super Size Me 2 would ever be seen by general audiences. It was the launch of another project from Spurlock that would attract audiences beyond die-hard documentary lovers. It's one of the things I'm continuing to try and move forward as best you can.. Chicken farmer Jonathan Buttram is a plaintiff in our lawsuit against the Trump administration for rolling back protections for family farmers and ranchers from corporate agribusiness abuses. Learn more about contributing; Edit page. This stunt pays off more purposefully than the movie initially gives us reason to hope for. With his chickens procured, Spurlock ventures out to meet with strategists and inventors to design a new sandwich to sell. "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! In fact, almost 95% of all contract farmers choose to renew year-over-year by the same company, and most companies have waiting lists of farmers wanting to enter a partnership. ", A strong possibility for the future of the film is on a digital platform, Powers said. It can also work as a feature-length advertisement for his franchisable business, nudging audiences to eat his chicken. After all, when it comes to fast food, chicken is the latest rage. The chicken farmers who worked with us risked their livelihood to give us a glimpse into the vicious cycle of the chicken industry, hoping that their courage might help lead to change once the public had the opportunity to see the way chicken farmers are manipulated and forced into a cycle of debt. I'm grateful to Jonathan and his family for sticking by me in the process. And what about Super Size Me 2? The documentary is in many ways collateral damage following Spurlocks confession, collecting dust on a shelf somewhere and no longer a tool for the people who needed it to be seen by audiences the most: the dozens of farmers who have brought lawsuits against Big Chicken. Stephanie Ruhle is joined by a farmer who took action and sued the Trump administration, Jonathan Buttram, and "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!" filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock to discuss. Hot pants Again there was nothing physical to it, but itverbally crossed the line it was demeaning.. It wasn't a journey that I thought I'd be on, Spurlock said. Since this movie was made three years ago, its gotten a lot worse. (In the film Buttram and his family, who say they have been victims of corporate retaliation for cooperating with Spurlock, serve as the main avatars of the family farms that they say suffer under this regime. When I got the idea for this, I thought what would it look like to open my fast food restaurant.". This unnaturally rapid growth leads to some rather horrific health consequences for some of the birds of Morganic Farmstheir bones break and several suddenly go into cardiac arrest and die. So, back on the big screen, what is Morgan Spurlock part of now the problem, or the solution? Jonathan and Connie Buttram Albertville, Alabama In spite of having 60 years combined experience as contract poultry growers, Jonathan and Connie saw their contracts ripped away when they spoke out about the grave injustices against farmers dished out by the poultry processors. All I can do is have faith that every day I can continue to be the best person I can and translate that to the work I believe in, which is telling stories that make a difference.. But I think the goal of Holy Chicken is how do you start to at least level the playing field? in which he chronicles his own launch into fast food and agribusiness poultry farming. The people that I hurtI worked with. Morgan Spurlock is about to launch his latest venture luring customers in with his version of the perfect chicken sandwich at his pop-up restaurant Holy Chicken. Before the festival ended, Spurlock scored a deal with YouTube Red, reported to be around $3.5 million, that included not just a streaming deal but also a theatrical release. Contact: Rachel Krupa,Krupa Consulting [emailprotected]/ 212.226.2922, Cision Distribution 888-776-0942 He and his family have been punished financially for revealing the industry's secrets to Spurlock. Spurlock brings his disarming humor to uncover the truths and lies behind this multibillion-dollar industry. They all believed it would, including Thom Powers, the head documentary programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival, who was responsible for the movies world premiere at TIFF. Anyone can read what you share. will be making an appearance in New York later this month on 18 West 23rd Street. Everybody walked away. But his half-smiling poker face is ironclad. During the process Spurlock fashioned his body into a toxic biohazard. Spurlock said this reveal will help shatter illusions, making us savvier costumers, which is why transparency is the ultimate goal. Various smalltown US newspapers reported either side of Christmas that he and others have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Agriculture aimed at preventing them from removing what little protection they have against Big Chicken. Buttram provided Spurlock with the chickens for his Holy Chicken . No, said the guy. The Holy Chicken Pop-Up, located at 18 West 23rd Street, is serving up Spurlock's chicken fare through Sunday, September 22nd (11am-5pm daily). "I think the intention is to kind of give you a different perspective of the fast-food world -- the fast-food commodity world -- from a much more corporate point of view," said Spurlock. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! sat on the shelf for two years after its director-star Morgan Spurlock admitted to sexual harassment in a New York Times article. examines this from the corporate side, showing you the decisions that are made, the stories that are spun, the corners that are cut, and the lives that are impacted to get you, the consumer, what you believe to be the best food possible, at the most affordable price," said Spurlock. Holy Chicken! But the national outcry following the release became a major factor in the chains ditching super-size options on the menu and implementing healthier items like salads and, you guessed it, healthier chicken. He also admitted to cheating on numerous partners. The farmer told Business Insider he has tried numerous times to contact YouTube since the company announced it was pulling the movie. Everything is organic! Carlin says, mocking one of the biggest words used to make customers feel woke about their purchases. If Ive learned anything out of making a career out of questionable life choices, Spurlock says at the start of the film, its that sometimes the only way to find the truth and solve the problem is to become a part of that problem., In Ali Wongs new Netflix rom-com, food is the butt of jokes and her true love. His farm-to-table restaurant, Holy Chicken, is also the namesake of his latest film, Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken. Its a sequel to the Oscar-nominated stunt documentary that made him famous 15 years ago as the jocular redhead who ate McDonalds food exclusively for a month. Transparency, Spurlock said, is at the heart of his passion project. But it's also one of those moments as a manic depressive, you don't think about the results of your actions in those moments. In 2004, when Spurlock, then an unknown filmmaker, released Super Size Me in which he went on a McDonalds only diet for one month he had no idea the ramifications it would cause in the fast-food industry. Turn winter carrots and oranges into a fresh spring salad, Pasta primavera is primed for its comeback tour, This clam toast is a shortcut to the classic New Haven pizza. Movies. I'm going around looking over my shoulder now. But that hasnt stopped Morris from single-handedly trying to get the movie out to the public. Read his answers to our Movie Love Questionnairehere. Youre living the chicken dream! Spurlock says to one of his young, free-range birds, grinning wryly as the chick waddles in a fenced space extending only a few feet from the door. Filmmaker celebrates new movie with natural, free-range, hormone-free chicken sandwiches and sides! The contract farmer raises them into . The full statement from the National Chicken Council can be found at the end of this story. Sept. 5, 2019. READ MORE *'Super Size Me' director Morgan Spurlock wonders 'when will they come for me' *Chicken People: a documentary that lacks spice *#MeToo campaign is a conversation that must be had. We invite anyone interested in seeing first-hand the real story of broiler chickens to watch NCCs360 video series. The menu will broadcast more appropriate options but will check whether the content they provide has actually changed and what we ordered. The fast-food industry has undergone a makeover since Super Size Me debuted 15 years ago. He said that when these larger companies partner with chicken farmers, they tend to squeeze their livelihoods. Morris is in Super Size Me 2, and is also part of a lawsuit in Kentucky against Tyson. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Because when [big chicken companies] come and they say, 'Well I'm gonna terminate your contract if you don't do this, this and this and you're gonna lose your farm.'. When most of the US market is dominated by five poultry companies. Show Roland's Food Court, Ep Morgan Spurlock, the farmers Jonathan & Zack Buttram promoting Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken - Sep 12, 2019 Spurlocks sandwich is coming on the heels of one of the biggest feuds this summer: Popeyes new chicken sandwich versus Chick-fil-As classic chicken sandwich. One of them was cop who was threatening to commit suicide and murder. "For the last two years while the movie was sitting on the shelf, all I did was work it and try to get the movie out," said Spurlock. The Original Grilled Crispy Chicken Sandwich TM (Regular or Spicy). So maybe now it's time forour own "Documentary Edge" Festival tolive up to its name, risk the potential backlash,and seek it out for screening here later in the year. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The movie didnt just show the directors health begin to deteriorate before our eyes thanks to his new diet, but also the crafty ways the fast-food industry makes some patrons eat its food to a level that causes obesity. Spurlock said his team never got the $3.5 million. Beyond that, theres a nagging aura of meh encircling the proceedings. Jonathan and Zach Buttram, a father and son farming duo, serve as Spurlocks window into the chicken industry in the documentary. I know he's been a polarising figure at the best of times and it's hard to separate the man from his work, particularly in this case where is so integral to the movie (there's no chance of subbing in Christopher Plummer here), but it really does feel like the only winners in all of this are Big Chicken. Nobody came forward to pressure me. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Coming clean personally imploded Spurlock's life professionally and hurt the people closest to him. "Somebody has to stand up and I'm standing up for the other farmers too," said Buttram. In the movie, Morris paints a grim picture of the farmers who are millions of dollars in debt due to the tournament system. I would say things to someone that was my assistant that were, you know, sexually offensive. how Big Chicken punishes a farmer who rents him a "grow out" house to start his enterprise, what maladies hit chickens forced to grow to many times the size they used to grow in a fraction of the time. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! takes 93. Full statement from the National Chicken Council: The National Chicken Council is aware of the film Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! from filmmaker and activist Morgan Spurlock. Always the showman, Spurlock came to TIFF with two of the farmers highlighted in the movie, one of whom was Jonathan Buttram. Comments. and the effect of Big Agra on family farmers. Spurlock canvasses the country doing market research, investigating whether fast food fare has improved since his first film and making wry observations on branding. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! Its not really grilled since grilling fried chicken would overcook it. In 2017, the director published a statement on social media titled I am part of the problem., I think that I looked at some of my past actions as being problematic[they] shouldn't have happened. Jonathan Buttram, a farmer featured in the film, argues the whole chicken business needs to be dismantled, including the way farmers and slaughterhouse workers are treated. I hate to see that. Currently, the lawsuit Morris and 19 other farmers filed in Kentucky against Tyson has been in the discovery phase since 2016, which is uncharacteristically long, according to Morris attorneys. Spurlock said it has been a long journey of making amends. The second Morgan Spurlock cinematic dining outing takes fast food out of the fire and into the deep fryer. may skip that menu item once they learn about the cruelty and dishonesty used to make it. ), Theres not a company out there that tells you the truth about their food, where it comes from, what it means to the environment we live in, Spurlock told The Post. Theres also a "man on the street" interview showing how confused people actually are about these monikers. Though Super Size Me 2 wouldnt have been able to speed up the wheels of justice, many involved in the suit believe at the very least Super Size Me 2 would have put a huge spotlight on the issue. But then came Spurlocks shocking announcement, which caught almost everyone involved in the movie off guard Morris and his attorneys, especially. Scene from "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! Viewers watch as the filmmaker goes to Alabama to learn about raising chicks and follow the process all the way until he opens his own chicken restaurant in central Ohio, the nation's test-market capital. Jonathan Buttram. ", We need Morgan, we really do, Morris added. SYNOPSIS: Morgan Spurlock explores whether the fast food industry . I'd far rather the current purge resulted in Hollywood stopping making borderline-misogynistic claptrap like Better Watch Out, which fortunately Kiwi viewers gave a wide berth too back in December. During the pop up, Holy Chicken will be serving free range, hormone free & antibiotic free chicken raised by Coleman Natural, a former independent chicken grower that was purchased by Purdue Farms in 2011, one of the five companies that controls 99% of the chicken we eat! ", "For me there was a moment of kind of realization -- as somebody who is a truth teller and somebody who has made it a point of trying to do what's right -- of recognizing that I could do better in my own life. After one month of greasy Mc-oversizing, he proved the medical hazards of such an . - The majority of chicken farmers today are thriving and helping to produce Americas #1 protein. How large that movement gets will depend on how large the market is for fast-food restaurants functioning as gallery-styled exhibitions of these restaurants various deceptions. It's been 15 years since he ate only at McDonald's for a month to illustrate the dangers of a fast-food diet. In a phone interview, Spurlock said he wanted people to focus not on him and his transgressions but on the farmers who are being squeezed by major chicken processors. When you purchase a ticket for an independently reviewed film through our site . Speaking at the premiere, Buttram detailed the toll these draconian and punitive practices had on his fellow farmers. The chicken was branded as Morganic Fresh Farm . "The chickens are being mistreated and the growers are definitely being mistreated. And that's the thing that I've been fighting for the last 18 months: Jonathan and Zach, who literally put their life and work on the line to tell their story and be a part of this.. Finally, Spurlock found Jonathan Buttram last summer, an Alabama chicken farmer who for the last decade has been trying to get the public to understand what Big Chicken has done to farmers . Still, my mind wandered to George Carlin who, decades before, had a magnificent routine about this exact thing. Spurlock is still as unflinchingly direct Always the showman, Spurlock came to TIFF with two of the farmers highlighted in the movie, one of whom was Jonathan Buttram. Few Kiwis bothered to go see the repugnant Better Watch Out in cinemas, perhaps sending a message to Hollywood that those kinds of movies are wanted no more. Guests at the pop-up include Jonathan and Zack Buttram, two Alabama chicken farmers, who appear in the film. Directed by Morgan Spurlock. Spurlock focuses on two parts of the fast-food world: chicken farmers stuck in a peculiar financial system and the attempt by fast-food chains to deceive customers into thinking they're eating healthier. Questionable life choices. Two years on, he said he's "in the process of continuing to heal and continuing to get better and make amends to the people that I need to. Trailer 1:50. They taste good. That news ladys investigative report and shocked reaction was far more revealing (and more hilarious) than Spurlocks reaction to his similarly posed experiment. He runs the blogs Big Media Vandalism and Tales of Odienary Madness. You know who you are, and Im surprised youve gotten this far in this review. Spurlock's own chicks are bred to grow so fast that they often suffer heart attacks or can't stand up. Although chain restaurants now tout food that's "healthy," "organic," and "natural," filmmaker Morgan Spurlock explores this new reality with an approach even more immersive and subversive than that used for his first film he sets out to open his own chicken franchise! And it was in one of those moments where I had to. Days later, YouTube announced it would not release " Super Size Me 2 " and Spurlock stepped down as head of his production company, Warrior Poets. He also described a sexual encounter which led to an allegation of date rape when he was in college. Morgan Spurlock is about to launch his latest venture: luring customers in with his version of the perfect chicken sandwich at his New York City pop-up restaurant, Holy Chicken. Should have been done differently, he said. PG-13. Ironically, Spurlock's film about fast-food chicken reemerges during a food feud over fried-chicken sandwiches, with the nation obsessed with a Popeyes version. A news investigation discovered that Newark Bay was so contaminated that anything swimming in it was carcinogenic. Charles Morris, a Kentucky-based chicken farmer, who is engaged in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Tyson Foods, will also make an appearance along with Sandwich the official mascot of Holy Chicken. His pop-up restaurant in Ohio has long since closed but Spurlock brought it to New York to coincide with the film's release. See less. At Holy Chicken near Westerville, the line is out the door. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! "I think the restaurant does a great job of doing that and kind of ripping the Band-Aid off the misleading terms and fractured landscape that we couch our food system in," he said. In "Super Me 2: Holy Chicken", Morgan Spurlock explores the fast-food industry's claims that fast food is both healthy and organic by opening his own restaurant. Both men were with Spurlock at TIFF, were introduced on stage at the world premiere, and did press with Spurlock the days that followed. When we finally get a look at the experience the Holy Chicken restaurant provides its customers, the response of the people who eat there is barely explored. He and many others had hoped their "mistreatment" at the hands of "Big Chicken" (the five powerful corporations who control 99.9 per cent of the birds raised, sold and eaten in America) would gain public exposure from the release of Morgan Spurlock's documentaryHoly Chicken. Its complex so there's no bite size way to describe it, Muraskin said of the plight of the chicken farmers. Im going to be honest, I feel like Ive been let down, Morris said when asked how he felt about not being contacted by Spurlock directly. More to explore. ET on ABC. For Spurlock, the truth telling hes done all these years in front of the camera is now matched behind it. NEW YORK -- Last time out, documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock ate only fast food for a month. He finds that 99% of the chickens we eat are produced by five companies. I never thought I'd be in a kitchen making, like, my own fried chicken sandwiches crispy chicken sandwich[es], he told Nightline., The project appears to be a complete reversal for the documentary filmmaker, who 15 years ago talked about making himself sick eating only McDonald's food for an entire month, as chronicled in the Oscar-nominated film Super Size Me.. The film calls the industry Big Chicken and they control the distribution of live product for farms. He made me laugh several times, in fact. Morris said he has never received a response from YouTube. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. . I had 10 farmers come up to my house and we had a link to the movie and I showed it to them and everyone just loved it. For example, Spurlock rightfully goes after the words being used to sell food to people. This popularity has led to huge profits for the poultry industry, but the farmers who are growing the chickens arent getting much of the rewards. But the problem is when the people backed out who were to release the movie it hurt the consumers but it hurt the poultry growers a lot worse. Its the last place anyone would expect to see the arch enemy of fast food. chicken sandwich "chain." He also brought a Holy Chicken ! What's the best version of me I can put out everyday. But on the walls and tables, there are messages about how the chickens, though more humanely raised, isn't really healthy and the paint colors and dcor can be manipulative. We are also proud to share that the overwhelming majority of the 25,000 farm families who partner with chicken companies are satisfied with their relationship. . "In the state of mind I was inI dealt with depression for decades," he said. Posts about Jonathan Buttram written by caroleditosti. "I am part of the problem," he wrote. Once we open up two, three locations, the goal is to have our own farms, our own integrated system where we can pay these people more money and they can benefit from profit participation.. We all are. Butler said he learned about it from another farmer hes representing. Since then, he's seen an explosion in restaurants stressing freshness, artisanal methods, farm-to-table goodness and ethically sourced ingredients. Jonathan Buttram, the outspoken Alabama farmer responsible for all those Holy Chickens, was on hand Monday and bristled at accusations that the operation is a stunt and that the chickens are from . Spurlock ventures into a lab with food scientists and chefs to concoct the highlight of his menu: a Grilled Crispy Chicken sandwich. Buttram provided Spurlock with the chickens for his Holy Chicken ! Posts about Jonathan Buttram written by Jack Shalom. The movie is playing in New York now and comes out on demand September 13. He has kept his promises and will continue to fight for them. Morgan Spurlock rose to international fame in Super Size Me (2004) when he used himself as a research subject to chow down for breakfast, lunch and dinner on "supersize portions" at McDonalds in a marathon of calorically indulgent eating. I think what we can do is start to at least put a message out there, that there is a better way, that there's a different way The way well beat them is creat[ing] a truly farm-to-table, local fast food restaurant., Watch the full story on "Nightline" TONIGHT at 12:35 a.m. Farmers and advocates visit USDA. Since the movies original filming more than three years ago, a lot has changed: The chicken industry launched its transparency campaign Chicken Check In to answer questions about chicken production; - NCCs animal welfare guidelines were updated and certified by an independent audit certification organization; - All quick service restaurants now post calories on their menus; and. The . We get an explanation of how these corporations apply enormous pressure on farmers, keeping them in a constant state of debt - or worse for farmer Jonathan Buttram who has . as well as other partner offers and accept our, NOW WATCH: WATCH: Executives from JPMorgan and BNY Mellon tell fintech founders the best ways to partner with large banks. The Ohio pop-up is just the start of what Spurlock envisions as a minor revolution beyond the film. Assisting Spurlock is farmer Jonathan Buttram, who rents a building to Morganic Farms and, along with his son, helps tend to the chickens. "Two weeks ago, I had two farmers calling me threatening to commit suicide. In six weeks, theyll be ready for the dinner plate, were told. This is part of the Stand With Farm Families campaign, where we've joined with Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA) and other partners to create a petition urging the USDA to issue rules around fairness in the agriculture industry . "Right now, our best bet is for people to go and support 'Holy Chicken' because if it gets off and gets up and running we're looking at a nationwide chain," said his son, Zack Buttram. The documentary dives into the challenges farmers like Buttram are facing in dealing with big corporations. But viewers of "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!" may never be released after the director's December self-revelations about a pattern of sexual harrasment. The chicken sandwich has become the most popular item on the menu anywhere you go today. The Holy Chicken restaurant pop-up also draws back the curtain to show how the fast food industry works and how key words, colors, signs, photos are used to make us feel better about what we're eating. Much of the chicken that ends up on your plate comes from one of a handful of big businesses, such as Tyson and Perdue. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!, 2017. Super Size Me 2: Holy Chickenwas the main loserafterthe director's self-revelations in December, where he told fans he was accused of rape at college, settled a harassment claim and been unfaithful to "every wife and girlfriend" he has had. You need something like a movie to get people to engage and take a step back and get the full story.. People can watch it and weigh the merits of the film on their own terms, it deserves that.. From the packaging to the walls, everything is decorated in trade secrets information that provides full disclosures on how fast food companies convince you that a junk food meal is somehow healthy. With "Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken! It would seem Spurlock stands to benefit, too. The film keeps a brisk pace from beginning to end, with only a slight lull as Spurlock detours into a series of interviews concerning a .

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