Dive!

Dive! is a compelling, thought-provoking documentary from 2010 directed by Jeremy Seifert who also features as the main character. The film is both shocking and enlightening, showing the extent of food waste in America, and its avoidable contribution to world hunger. This is a movie that is both educational and motivational, navigating a rarely discussed issue with grace, humor, and profound insight.

The film's title, Dive!, grows from Seifert's own pursuit - dumpster diving. The intrinsic setup of the film follows Seifert and his group of friends as they explore the dumpsters of Los Angeles' supermarkets in the quiet hours of the night. Rather than scouting out for trashed items, they are instead focused on the shocking amounts of perfectly good, often high-end edibles that have been tossed away while they are still days or even weeks away from their expiration dates.

Dive! isn't just about dumpster diving for food. It highlights a bigger societal issue of food waste in America. It challenges the practices of the major grocery chains who, rather than donating excess food to soup kitchens or shelters, throw it away in dumpsters. The idea of so much food going to waste in a country where millions experience food insecurity every day is a disquieting reality that Dive! unabashedly exposes.

Seifert, who narrates and appears in front of the camera as well, is as likable and relatable as they come. He's not a radical or a zealot but an ordinary father and husband, passionate about food ethics. A sturdy blend of personal conviction and well-researched facts, Seifert projects a candid, kindly voice that not only educates but also infuses audiences with a sense of urgency.

Dive! paints a seldom-seen picture of the grim reality of food wastage with a vivid presentation of staggering statistics. In addition, it effortlessly brings front and center the moral and ethical implications of this wastage in view of the dire and pervasive problem of global hunger. The film pieces together its case with admirable restraint, subtle humor, and gut-wrenching realities, making it impossible for viewers not to be moved.

The film expertly balances moments of levity, where Seifert and his friends interact and share their dumpster diving discoveries, with the serious message about the amount of food waste in America. In the movie, the dumpster diving comes across as a social statement rather than an act of necessity. It's full of intrigue and eye-opening moments that make it a memorable and emotion-provoking experience.

The narrative is built upon interviews with food waste activists, attorneys, and supermarket employees who provide broader perspectives on policies and realities surrounding food waste, donating, and food laws in America. The engaging interviews along with Seifert's relatable narrative create a compelling discourse on why food waste happens and steps that can be taken to manage it.

While the problem of this magnitude may feel overwhelming to many, Dive! leaves the audience with a sense of possibility rather than despair. Seifert offers a simple yet potent message: everyone can make a difference. The idea isn't to convince everyone to start dumpster diving but to push for major supermarkets to reassess their waste policies, reduce the amount of good food thrown away, and to donate their surplus to those who need it.

Visually, the film is modest and raw, but this simplicity allows the subject matter to shine. The utilization of info-graphic statistics throughout lends a crisp, contemporary feel, rendering the harsh statistics palpable and striking. The soundtrack buoys the film's narrative perfectly, immersing the viewer and seamlessly balancing the film's humor with its moments of stern reflection.

Dive! is recommended to those who like documentaries, want a different perspective of daily consumption, are interested in environmental issues, or want to watch a movie that can potentially change the way they see the world around them. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the scale of the problem of food waste. It's a documentary that incites action, and it's well worth the watch.

Overall, Dive! is an excellent documentary, blending humor and heartfelt sincerity with a desperately important message about food waste. It provides a standpoint that suggests change, exposes an unfortunate reality, and encourages everyone to consider what they can do personally to mitigate a global problem.