Misplaced Pages

The Dark Side of Chocolate: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 12:16, 9 June 2014 editSignedzzz (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users20,559 edits Reception← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:36, 5 September 2024 edit undoSer Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators6,315,113 edits External links: add Category:English-language documentary filmsTag: AWB 
(96 intermediate revisions by 59 users not shown)
Line 8: Line 8:
*] *]
*]}} *]}}
| producer = | producer = Helle Faber
| writer = | writer =
| screenplay = | screenplay =
Line 16: Line 16:
| cinematography = | cinematography =
| editing = Andreas Birch Eriksen | editing = Andreas Birch Eriksen
| studio = | studio = Bastard Film & TV
| distributor = | distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2010|3|16|df=y}} | released = {{Film date|2010|3|16|df=y}}
| runtime = | runtime =
| country = Denmark<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.filmkontakt.com/?id=152&a=9beed7259353815343e0cd9dec328b1e |title=Contact Database |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=2019-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112095038/https://www.filmkontakt.com/?id=152&a=9beed7259353815343e0cd9dec328b1e |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country = Denmark
| language = English<br>German<br>French | language = English<br>German<br>French
| budget = | budget =
Line 26: Line 26:
}} }}


'''''The Dark Side of Chocolate''''' is a 2010 ] about the ]<ref>, Lonnie Allen, '']'', 18 October 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)</ref> still occurring nearly ten years after the cocoa industry pledged to end it.<ref>, Adrienne Fitch-Frankel, Fair Trade Blog, ], 4 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)</ref> '''''The Dark Side of Chocolate''''' is a 2010 ] about the ]<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002163640/http://www.cm-life.com/2010/10/18/chocolate-industry-built-on-blood-and-sweat-of-child-slaves/ |date=2012-10-02 }}, Lonnie Allen, '']'', 18 October 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)</ref> still occurring nearly ten years after the ] pledged to end it.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401060357/http://www.globalexchange.org/blogs/fairtrade/2010/08/04/film-shows-cocoa-child-slavery-continues/ |date=2016-04-01 }}, Adrienne Fitch-Frankel, Fair Trade Blog, ], 4 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)</ref>


==Background== ==Background==
Cocoa plantations in Ghana and the Ivory Coast provide 80% of the world with chocolate, according to CorpWatch.<ref>, Kate McMahon, '']'', 25 October 2005 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref> Chocolate producers around the world have been pressured to “verify that their chocolate is not the product of child labor or slavery.”<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref> Cocoa plantations in Ghana and the Ivory Coast provide 80% of the world's chocolate, according to CorpWatch.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227051500/http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=12754 |date=2018-02-27 }}, Kate McMahon, ''CorpWatch'', 25 October 2005 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref> Chocolate producers around the world have been pressured to “verify that their chocolate is not the product of ] or ].”<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref>


In 2000, ] aired ''Slavery: A Global Investigation'' which brought the issue of child labor in the cooca industry to light.<ref>, Tulane University, 11 June 2010 (retrieved 6 November 2012)</ref> In 2000, ] aired ''Slavery: A Global Investigation'' which brought the issue of child labor in the cocoa industry to light.<ref>, Tulane University, 11 June 2010 (retrieved 6 November 2012)</ref>


In 2001, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and its members signed a document that prohibited child trafficking and labor in the cocoa industry after 2008. Despite this effort, numerous children are still forced to work on cocoa plantations in Africa. In 2001, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and its members signed a document that prohibited child trafficking and labor in the cocoa industry after 2008. Despite this effort, numerous children are still forced to work on cocoa plantations in Africa.


In 2009, Mars and Cadbury joined the Rainforest Alliance to fight against child labor. By 2020, these major chocolate manufacturers hope to completely eradicate child labor on any plantations from which they purchase their cocoa.<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref> In 2009, ] and ] joined the ] to fight against child labor. By 2020, these major chocolate manufacturers hoped to completely eradicate child labor on any plantations from which they purchase their cocoa.<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref> As of 2019, there are still 1.56 million child laborers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.<ref>, U.S. Department of Labor, retrieved 17 June 2021</ref>


==Production== ==Production==
''The Dark Side of Chocolate'' was produced by Danish journalist ] who investigated the use of child labor and trafficked children in chocolate production.<ref>, Jenny Jelen, '']'', 19 October 2010 (retrieved 20 October 2010)</ref> It is filmed by U. Roberto Romano. ''The Dark Side of Chocolate'' was directed by Danish journalist, lawyer and writer<ref>{{cite web |title=Former TI Media exec Miki Mistrati launches factual prodco |url=https://realscreen.com/2020/11/04/former-ti-media-exec-miki-mistrati-launches-factual-prodco/}}</ref> ] who investigated the use of child labor and trafficked children in chocolate production.<ref>, Jenny Jelen, '']'', 19 October 2010 (retrieved 20 October 2010)</ref> It was filmed by ] and produced by Helle Faber.


The filming started in Germany, where Mistrati asked vendors where their chocolate comes from. They then flew to Mali, where many of the children are from. Next, they explored the ] where the cocoa plantations are located. The film ends in Switzerland where both the ] (ILO) and the ] headquarters are located. The filming started in Germany, where Mistrati asked vendors where their chocolate comes from. They then flew to ], where many of the children are from. Next, they explored the ], ] and ] where the cocoa plantations are located. The film ends in Switzerland where both the ] (ILO) and the ] headquarters are located.


Much of the footage in this documentary is recorded using a secret camera located in a bag Mistrati carries with him. Much of the footage in this documentary is recorded using a secret camera, but some of the material was deleted by the authorities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBPhiMOAt2o| title=The Dark Side of Chocolate - Miki Mistrati - BOLDtalks 2012 | website=] }}</ref>


The documentary was released in 2010, first in Denmark, and later in Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, and Norway.<ref></ref> The documentary was released in 2010, first in Denmark, and later in Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, and Norway.


==Synopsis== ==Synopsis==
In 2001, the ] formed an action plan entitled the ], an agreement that was signed by the major chocolate companies almost 10 years before the film was made, aimed at ending child trafficking and slave labor in the cocoa industry.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210170034/http://www1.american.edu/ted/chocolate-slave.htm |date=2012-02-10 }}, Samlanchith Chanthavong, "Chocolate and Slavery", 2002</ref>


The documentary starts in ], Germany where Mistrati asks several chocolate company representatives whether they are aware of child labour in cocoa farms. In ], the film shows that children, having been promised paid work, are taken to towns near the border such as ], from where another trafficker transports the children over the border on a dirt-bike. Then they are left with a third trafficker who sells the children to farmers for a starting price of 230 Euros each.
In 2001, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association formed an action plan entitled the ] that would aim to end the worse forms of child trafficking and slave labor.<ref>, Samlanchith Chanthavong, "Chocolate and Slavery", 2002</ref> However, child trafficking still continued in countries in West Africa. Authorities and companies denied it happened. Due to this conflicting outlook, the filmmakers went undercover to discover the truth. The film starts with its two filmmakers investigating independently by journeying to the western coast of ] to the country of ], the country where children were rumored to be smuggled from and then transported to the ].<ref></ref> The team of journalists aimed to investigate ] and ] in the Ivory Coast and its effects on the worldwide chocolate industry.


The children, ranging in age from 10 to 15, are forced to do hard and often hazardous labor, are often beaten, and according to the film's narrator most are never paid. The narrator also claims that most of them stay with the plantation until they die, never seeing their families again. No documentary evidence is shown to support the claims that the children are not paid or that they are made to work until they die. The Harkin-Engel Protocol promised to end the use of child labour.<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref>
The documentary starts in Cologne, ] where Mistrati asks each vendor at a gathering of chocolate makers where their chocolate is imported from. Their responses lead to the conclusion that almost all chocolate is imported from somewhere in Africa. Their detective work lead them to find that people in Mali were trafficking children at bus stations by bribing them with work and money, or by kidnapping them from villages. Afterward, they are taken to towns near the border such as ], where another trafficker transports the children over the border on a dirt-bike. Then they are left with a third trafficker who sells the children to plantations.


When confronted with this issue, corporate representatives denied all rumors of child labor and trafficking, but the investigations of the filmmakers brought to light the continued widespread use of trafficked child slaves on cocoa plantations.
The children, ranging in age from 10 to 15, are forced to do hard labor, physically abused, and paid poor wages, or none at all. Most of them stay with the plantation until they die, never seeing their families again. Child labor and trafficking is illegal according to the ], an agreement that was signed by all major chocolate companies promising not to harvest their cocoa beans through means of child workers.<ref>, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)</ref>


] and other companies declined an invitation to watch the film and to answer questions. In response, Mistrati set up a large screen next to Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland, forcing employees to catch a glimpse of child labor in the cocoa industry.
When confronted with this issue, the corporate representatives of some of these companies denied all rumors of child labor and trafficking, but the investigations of the filmmakers proved brought to light the continued abuse of children on cocoa plantations.

As a closing edit window to the film, during the credits roll, we see the local police arrive, to ask why they are showing the film outside Nestlé's Head Office in ], Switzerland. The police ask if the film is 'for or against Nestlé'. The reply is "It is not against". After checking their documents the policeman says "we turn it off", referring to showing the film. {{Citation needed|date=July 2015}}


==Reception== ==Reception==
In 2012, ''The Dark Side of Chocolate'' was nominated for the ] in 2012 in the category of Information & Culture.<ref>]</ref><ref></ref> In 2012, ''The Dark Side of Chocolate'' was nominated for the ] in the category of Information & Culture.<ref>]</ref><ref></ref>
As a result of the documentary, child slavery in Africa was more predominantly focused on. A map was made as more research was compiled.<ref></ref>
Sites like Fair Trade Advocacy are encouraging people to help promote "Fair Trade" cocoa.<ref></ref>
Another website directly relating to the documentary is The ] (GCP). The GCP is a high-impact poverty alleviation project focused on significantly improving the lives of cocoa farmers worldwide through the supply of equipment and basic needs. The secondary goal is to educate Americans about the realities of the cocoa industry and leverage the power of knowledgeable, concerned consumers to help make cocoa growing a profitable and sustainable occupation for farmers. Their website provides information and allows anyone the chance to host "chocolate tastings." These "chocolate tastings" are one of the ways a group or organization can raise awareness about the of African cocoa farmers and human trafficking while providing guests with chocolate.<ref></ref>


==Personnel==
The completed documentary was shown to the ] (ILO) in Switzerland, whose aim is to stop child labor in the chocolate industry.
{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}

* Creators: ], ]
] and other companies declined an invitation to watch the film and to answer questions. In response, Mistrati set up a large screen next to Nestle’s headquarters in Switzerland, forcing employees to catch a glimpse of child labor in the cocoa industry.
* Producer: Helle Faber

* Journalist: Svante Karlshoej Ipsen
As a closing edit window to the film, during the credits roll, we see the local police arrive, to ask why they are showing the film outside Nestle's Head Office in Vevey, Switzerland. The police ask if the film is 'for or against Nestle'. The reply is "It is not against". After checking their documents the policeman says "we turn it off", referring to showing the film.
* Script: ]

* Editor: Andreas Birch Eriksen
Clearly, almost as soon as they started showing the film, Nestle's executive rang the police who typically, outside of an emergency, can take 20–40 minutes to turn up. The implication being that Nestle, if not the whole chocolate industry, is hyper sensitive to this kind of publicity and will use authority to suppress anything which might demoralise its workforce or stigmatize its product.
* Research: Ditte Nielsen, Svante Karlshoej Ipsen, Miki Mistrati, U. Roberto Romano, Youchaou * Traor, Assoumane Maiga

* Photographers: Henrik Bohn Ipsen, U. Roberto Romano, Niels Thastum
==Complete credits==
A film by ] & ] * Assistant Photographer: Miki Mistrati
* Color Grade: Andreas Birch Eriksen

* Sound: Bobby Hess, Asser Borgen
Journalist: Svante Karlshoej Ipsen
* Sound Assistant: Ingeborg Holten

* Composer: Jonas Colstrup
Script: ]
* Graphics: Benny Box

* Narrator: ]
Editor: Andreas Birch Eriksen
* Production Managers: Mathilde Hvid Lippmann, Joel Norup Soegaard

* Production Assistants: Markus Ramlau, Helene Juncher Jensen, Rasmus Odgaard
Research: Ditte Nielsen, Svante Karlshoej Ipsen, Miki Mistrati, U. Roberto Romano, Youchaou Traor, Assoumane Maiga
* Technical Assistance: Jonas Abildgaard

* Translations: Helene Juncher Jensen, Tolkegruppen Koebenhavn (Prestige Network Ltd)
Photographers: Henrik Bohn Ipsen, U. Roberto Romano, Niels Thastum
* Webdesign: Kalle Graverholt

* Associates: Osange Silou-Kieffer, Bernard Kieffer, Fabian Abitbol, ProShop Europe
Assistant Photographer: Miki Mistrati
* Partners: Mette Hoffmann (DR2) & Barbara Biemann (NDR)

* Support From: Danida, Media, Monique Dobretz (TSR), Axel Arno (SVT), Arto Hyvonen (YLE), ERR Jaspreet Singh Syan
Color Grade: Andreas Birch Eriksen
{{div col end}}

Sound: Bobby Hess, Asser Borgen

Sound Assistant: Ingeborg Holten

Composer: Jonas Colstrup

Graphics: Benny Box

Narrator: David Bateson

Production Managers: Mathilde Hvid Lippmann, Joel Norup Soegaard

Production Assistants: Markus Ramlau, Helene Juncher Jensen, Rasmus Odgaard

Technical Assistance: Jonas Abildgaard

Translations: Helene Juncher Jensen, Tolkegruppen Koebenhavn, Prestige Network Ltd.

Webdesign: Kalle Graverholt

Special Thanks To: Osange Silou-Kieffer, Bernard Kieffer, Fabian Abitbol, ProShop Europe

Executive Producer: Helle Faber

Produced in Corporation With: Mette Hoffmann (DR2) & Barbara Biemann (NDR)

Produced With the Support From: Danida, Media, Pools and Lottery Funds of the Ministry of Education, Monique Dobretz (TSR), Axel Arno (SVT), Arto Hyvonen (YLE), ERR Jaspreet Singh Syan


By Bastard Film & TV<ref></ref> (located in Copenhagen, Denmark<ref></ref>)


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|30em}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{IMDb title|1773722}} * {{IMDb title|1773722}}
* {{YouTube|id=7Vfbv6hNeng|title=Documentary: The Dark Side Of Chocolate}}
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* https://www.facebook.com/SchmutzigeSchokoladeByMikiMistrati


{{portalbar|Film|Food}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark Side Of Chocolate}}
{{chocolate}}
{{Food industry criticism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dark Side of Chocolate}}
] ]
] ]
]
]
] ]
]
] ]
]
]
]
]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 21:36, 5 September 2024

2010 Danish film
The Dark Side of Chocolate
Directed by
Produced byHelle Faber
Edited byAndreas Birch Eriksen
Music byJonas Colstrup
Production
company
Bastard Film & TV
Release date
  • 16 March 2010 (2010-03-16)
CountryDenmark
LanguagesEnglish
German
French

The Dark Side of Chocolate is a 2010 documentary film about the exploitation and slavetrading of African children to harvest chocolate still occurring nearly ten years after the cocoa industry pledged to end it.

Background

Cocoa plantations in Ghana and the Ivory Coast provide 80% of the world's chocolate, according to CorpWatch. Chocolate producers around the world have been pressured to “verify that their chocolate is not the product of child labor or slavery.”

In 2000, BBC aired Slavery: A Global Investigation which brought the issue of child labor in the cocoa industry to light.

In 2001, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and its members signed a document that prohibited child trafficking and labor in the cocoa industry after 2008. Despite this effort, numerous children are still forced to work on cocoa plantations in Africa.

In 2009, Mars and Cadbury joined the Rainforest Alliance to fight against child labor. By 2020, these major chocolate manufacturers hoped to completely eradicate child labor on any plantations from which they purchase their cocoa. As of 2019, there are still 1.56 million child laborers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

Production

The Dark Side of Chocolate was directed by Danish journalist, lawyer and writer Miki Mistrati who investigated the use of child labor and trafficked children in chocolate production. It was filmed by U. Roberto Romano and produced by Helle Faber.

The filming started in Germany, where Mistrati asked vendors where their chocolate comes from. They then flew to Mali, where many of the children are from. Next, they explored the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria where the cocoa plantations are located. The film ends in Switzerland where both the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Nestle headquarters are located.

Much of the footage in this documentary is recorded using a secret camera, but some of the material was deleted by the authorities.

The documentary was released in 2010, first in Denmark, and later in Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, and Norway.

Synopsis

In 2001, the Chocolate Manufacturers Association formed an action plan entitled the Harkin–Engel Protocol, an agreement that was signed by the major chocolate companies almost 10 years before the film was made, aimed at ending child trafficking and slave labor in the cocoa industry.

The documentary starts in Cologne, Germany where Mistrati asks several chocolate company representatives whether they are aware of child labour in cocoa farms. In Mali, the film shows that children, having been promised paid work, are taken to towns near the border such as Zégoua, from where another trafficker transports the children over the border on a dirt-bike. Then they are left with a third trafficker who sells the children to farmers for a starting price of 230 Euros each.

The children, ranging in age from 10 to 15, are forced to do hard and often hazardous labor, are often beaten, and according to the film's narrator most are never paid. The narrator also claims that most of them stay with the plantation until they die, never seeing their families again. No documentary evidence is shown to support the claims that the children are not paid or that they are made to work until they die. The Harkin-Engel Protocol promised to end the use of child labour.

When confronted with this issue, corporate representatives denied all rumors of child labor and trafficking, but the investigations of the filmmakers brought to light the continued widespread use of trafficked child slaves on cocoa plantations.

Nestlé and other companies declined an invitation to watch the film and to answer questions. In response, Mistrati set up a large screen next to Nestlé’s headquarters in Switzerland, forcing employees to catch a glimpse of child labor in the cocoa industry.

As a closing edit window to the film, during the credits roll, we see the local police arrive, to ask why they are showing the film outside Nestlé's Head Office in Vevey, Switzerland. The police ask if the film is 'for or against Nestlé'. The reply is "It is not against". After checking their documents the policeman says "we turn it off", referring to showing the film.

Reception

In 2012, The Dark Side of Chocolate was nominated for the Adolf Grimme Award in the category of Information & Culture.

Personnel

  • Creators: Miki Mistrati, U. Roberto Romano
  • Producer: Helle Faber
  • Journalist: Svante Karlshoej Ipsen
  • Script: Miki Mistrati
  • Editor: Andreas Birch Eriksen
  • Research: Ditte Nielsen, Svante Karlshoej Ipsen, Miki Mistrati, U. Roberto Romano, Youchaou * Traor, Assoumane Maiga
  • Photographers: Henrik Bohn Ipsen, U. Roberto Romano, Niels Thastum
  • Assistant Photographer: Miki Mistrati
  • Color Grade: Andreas Birch Eriksen
  • Sound: Bobby Hess, Asser Borgen
  • Sound Assistant: Ingeborg Holten
  • Composer: Jonas Colstrup
  • Graphics: Benny Box
  • Narrator: David Bateson
  • Production Managers: Mathilde Hvid Lippmann, Joel Norup Soegaard
  • Production Assistants: Markus Ramlau, Helene Juncher Jensen, Rasmus Odgaard
  • Technical Assistance: Jonas Abildgaard
  • Translations: Helene Juncher Jensen, Tolkegruppen Koebenhavn (Prestige Network Ltd)
  • Webdesign: Kalle Graverholt
  • Associates: Osange Silou-Kieffer, Bernard Kieffer, Fabian Abitbol, ProShop Europe
  • Partners: Mette Hoffmann (DR2) & Barbara Biemann (NDR)
  • Support From: Danida, Media, Monique Dobretz (TSR), Axel Arno (SVT), Arto Hyvonen (YLE), ERR Jaspreet Singh Syan

References

  1. "Contact Database". Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  2. COLUMN: Chocolate industry built on blood and sweat of child slaves Archived 2012-10-02 at the Wayback Machine, Lonnie Allen, Central Michigan Life, 18 October 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)
  3. Film Shows Cocoa Child Slavery Continues Archived 2016-04-01 at the Wayback Machine, Adrienne Fitch-Frankel, Fair Trade Blog, Global Exchange, 4 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2010)
  4. AFRICA: The Dark Side of Chocolate Archived 2018-02-27 at the Wayback Machine, Kate McMahon, CorpWatch, 25 October 2005 (retrieved 29 October 2012)
  5. The dark side of chocolate: Are candy companies doing enough to end child labor?, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)
  6. Ghana Consultative Meeting 2010, Tulane University, 11 June 2010 (retrieved 6 November 2012)
  7. The dark side of chocolate: Are candy companies doing enough to end child labor?, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)
  8. Child Labor in the Production of Cocoa, U.S. Department of Labor, retrieved 17 June 2021
  9. "Former TI Media exec Miki Mistrati launches factual prodco".
  10. Feature film exposes the dark side of treat, Jenny Jelen, Northern Life, 19 October 2010 (retrieved 20 October 2010)
  11. "The Dark Side of Chocolate - Miki Mistrati - BOLDtalks 2012". YouTube.
  12. Chocolate and Slavery Archived 2012-02-10 at the Wayback Machine, Samlanchith Chanthavong, "Chocolate and Slavery", 2002
  13. The dark side of chocolate: Are candy companies doing enough to end child labor?, Sara Peck, "News Review", 05 August 2010 (retrieved 29 October 2012)
  14. Miki Mistrati - da.wikipedia.com
  15. Miki Mistrati - LinkedIn

External links

Portals:
Chocolate
Cocoa bean
Components
Types
Products
Processes
Industry
By country
Other topics
Food industry criticism
Books
Films
Organizations
Concepts
By country
Categories: