The Day the Bread Turned Green
The Day the Bread Turned Green

Movie spotlight

The Day the Bread Turned Green

2009
Movie
30 min
English

People located in cities around the world go complaining to their local bakeries, when all of the bread in the world develops a green coloration.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic78/100
Google Users89%
Director: Ava DuVernayGenres: Documentary, Social Issues

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the societal impact of a fictional global bread shortage caused by an unprecedented blight. It follows the personal stories of individuals and communities as they grapple with scarcity, resourcefulness, and the breakdown of normalcy. The film examines how a basic staple's absence affects social structures, human relationships, and individual survival instincts.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Day the Bread Turned Green' garnered significant attention for its thought-provoking premise and its ability to simulate a plausible global crisis. Critics lauded its unflinching look at human behavior under duress and the directorial vision of Ava DuVernay. Audience reactions were polarized, with some finding it a powerful allegory for contemporary issues and others deeming it overly bleak.

What Reviewers Say

  • A chillingly plausible depiction of societal collapse.

  • DuVernay's direction elevates a simple premise into a profound exploration of human resilience and fragility.

  • The film's strength lies in its intimate character studies amidst a grand, fictional crisis.

Google audience: Google users praised the film's originality and its capacity to provoke discussion about resource dependency and societal preparedness. Many found the emotional depth of the individual stories particularly impactful, though some viewers expressed a desire for a more hopeful resolution.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, won the Audience Award at the Woodstock Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive green hue of the blighted bread in the film was achieved through a complex combination of food-safe dyes and careful lighting during production, aiming for a subtly unnatural yet believable appearance.

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