Film fest explores food crisis

McHenry County College's International Film Festival continues through April, featuring "Seeds of Hunger" at 2 and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, and "Young Freud in Gaza" at 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, in the MCC Conference Center, 8900 Route 14 in Crystal Lake.

• "Seeds of Hunger" examines the impending global food crisis at 2 and 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8. More than three billion people worldwide suffer from malnutrition, with more than one billion starving, according to a description from Icarus Films. World agriculture is feeling the impact of global warming, population urbanization trends, and an increased use of grains for biofuels.

Filmed in Africa, China, Latin America and the United States, "Seeds of Hunger" examines such issues as the politics of food security and scarcity, declining food production, the impact of genetically modified foods, water shortages, famine, food aid programs, and national food production, distribution and export policies. These issues are explored through interviews with farmers, financial analysts, and food buyers and importers worldwide.

• "Young Freud in Gaza" scheduled for 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, profiles Ayed, a young psychotherapist for the Palestinian Authority's Clinic for Mental Health. Since the 2006 election of Hamas and the blockade of Gaza's border by Israel, the Palestinians have suffered an unemployment rate nearing 60 percent, and a shortage of food, water and medicine, according to a description from Icarus Films. Professional psychologists are also in short supply.

Filmed from 2006 to 2008 against a backdrop of intense violence, the documentary follows Ayed as he makes house calls, and provides therapy and medication for a range of mental health issues, including depression, stress, anxiety attacks and suicidal tendencies.

Both films are free. Audience members are invited to join a discussion after each film.

For information, call Lindsay Carson at (815) 479-7723 or visit mchenry.edu/internationalstudies.