The Invisible Vegan

The Invisible Vegan is a 2019 documentary film that stars Siatta Adams, Sharon Brathwaite, and Xavier Brown, among others. It's a trailblazing documentary that explores the problem of unhealthy dietary patterns in the African-American community, foregrounding the health and wellness possibilities enabled by plant-based vegan diets. This groundbreaking movie uses nutrition education as a lens to examine larger social & cultural issues.

The film is helmed by first-time director Jasmine Leyva who also serves as the film's narrator and protagonist, taking viewers on a personal, introspective journey into the seductive world of food, health, identity, and self-discovery. The film draws upon Siatta Adams, a holistic health coach, Sharon Brathwaite, a vegan health and wellness expert, and Xavier Brown, a fasting and men's health expert, among other influential figures in the vegan and health community.

The Invisible Vegan transcends the stereotypical narrative often associated with veganism being solely for the animal rights activist or the fitness obsessed. Instead, it boldly challenges the cultural relevance of soul food in the African-American community, dissecting its historical roots to its modern perception as a staple of black identity. Intertwining interviews, animations, archival footage, and Leyva’s personal narrative, the film asks whether soul food, in its traditional form, constitutes physiological facilitator or, in fact, a deadly cultural antagonist.

The film unfolds as a rich tapestry of voices from the worlds of the health, culinary, and cultural spheres. Interviewees range from general practitioners, nutritionists, and activists to ordinary individuals whose lives have been touched by the transformative power of embracing a plant-based lifestyle. Peppered throughout are splashy, colorful cooking sequences featuring mouthwatering plant-based dishes, attempting to demystify the presumption that vegan diet might lack the flavorsome appeal that carnivorous meals supposedly offer.

What makes The Invisible Vegan so powerful is its acknowledgment of the socio-economic factors that contribute to unhealthy eating habits. It does not merely critique unhealthy dietary trends in the African-American community or push audiences to denounce their cultural food traditions. Instead, it presents a sympathetic understanding of food deserts, the unaffordability of healthy food options, and the lack of nutrition education in schools and underserved communities. The film aims to demystify and challenge the reasons behind health disparities in minority communities and offers a new, healthier perspective on traditional soul food.

Leyva's storytelling method seamlessly weaves the personal with the political, enabling the audience to explore the intersection of race, class, and diet. This approach prevents the narrative from feeling didactic. Instead, it offers an exploratory journey where viewers are invited to understand the implications of their dietary choices, how these have been influenced by broader socio-cultural factors, and how one can traverse towards making healthier choices.

At its core, The Invisible Vegan engages with the concept of food as both sustenance and a tool that can impact not just individuals, but communities. The film argues that what we eat is not purely a personal choice but is also indicative of larger structures of economic, racial, and social inequality. By presenting plant-based nutrition as not just a potential solution to health disparities but also a form of social and environmental justice, it pushes viewers to consider their roles as consumers and active participants within these systems.

The Invisible Vegan, in the end, delivers a thought-provoking meditation on culture, identity, and health. With its diverse array of interviewees, cinematic narratives, and a commendable exploration of the historical and cultural implications of diet, it elevates the conversation on veganism from the purely personal to a community-wide discourse. Simultaneously, it underscores the importance of health education, the role of culture and tradition in dietary choices, and the power of changing our own narratives.

In the face of daunting health statistics, this documentary offers a glimpse of hope, transformation, and empowerment. It serves as an essential viewing not only for those interested in the vegan lifestyle but also for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of diet, race, and culture.