Watching a documentary film is always interesting, especially the one that delivers a strong message. However, this is not enough if the audience ignores, or does not pay attention, to its subject. But maybe this time, and only this time, with such a serious matter as the death of an infant due to milk substitutes, we will all start paying attention and care a bit more because none of us wants to attend the funeral of our little one. If you want to know the difference between breastmilk and formula milk, then you should use this documentary film as a bible, because it will help you save your child`s life by simply avoiding suspicious nutrition, such as formula milk, which it specifically mentions is not suitable for an infant.
Noemi Weis reveals one of the hot topics of our time, and that is ‘what should we do when it comes to feeding a new born baby, or how should a parent take care of him before he is even born’?. Weis explores the formula milk problem globally, taking the audience from one location to another; Brazil, Philippines, Canada and the U.S. She also gives an explanation of why some parents who live in poverty are left with no choice but to use cheap brands that may damage the heath of their child, or even kill them. Even though, UNICEF and The World Health Organization developed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, banning the inappropriate promotion of baby foods, it seems it does not help much in countries like the Philippines, or in the remote areas/villages of Brazil where parents must buy whatever they can afford so that their child won’t starve to death.
In her film, Weis does not blame any of the parents for their choice to feed their infants with milk formula, only those who hold the information, and for some reason do not spread the word about the danger all Nestle type foods can bring. One of the parents highlighted in the film feeds her child with water and sugar, as she has nothing else to offer. It also raises an important point about donating breast milk for those who can`t breastfeed their infants. Weis had to travel to eleven countries in order to show that the problem is global, and has no specific nationality.
Milk is a very important documentary film about a subject that will remain relevant until communities start talking about it so that more deaths of children can be prevented. Because when we lose those at such a young age, we can`t dream about a bright future, especially if this problem is not resolved.
Screening Info:
Monday, April 27th at 6:30 PM Isabel Bader Theater
Wednesday, April 29th at 11 AM Isabel Theater