Oct. 09, 2020|Canada|100 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Drama
Description: “Percy Vs Goliath” (2020) is a film inspired by the true events of the legal battle between Percy Schmeiser, a canola farmer from Saskatchewan, and the agricultural giant Monsanto. The story revolves around Percy, who faced legal action from Monsanto after it was discovered that his fields contained their patented Roundup-resistant crops. Accused of intellectual property theft, Percy claimed he unknowingly planted Monsanto’s seeds in 1997, believing it was a case of contamination from neighboring farms. Despite his insistence that he never intentionally used their seeds, Monsanto demanded all his seeds and the profits he earned the following year.
With the help of local lawyer Jackson Weaver, Percy fought back, but the legal system seemed heavily skewed in Monsanto’s favor. As the battle dragged on, Percy’s life began to unravel. His family faced social ostracism, and his financial debts piled up. Rebecca Salcau, a representative from the People’s Environmental Protection (PEP), offered her support, encouraging Percy to speak out publicly against Monsanto to garner media attention and raise funds for his legal fight. Initially reluctant to turn his struggle into a public spectacle, Percy’s frustration grew as Monsanto’s representatives began harassing him and tarnishing his reputation. Fueled by anger, he eventually embraced public speaking, rallying against Monsanto’s practices.
Percy’s speeches and media appearances gained widespread attention, inspiring people around the world to donate and express their support. During a trip to India, Percy witnessed the devastating impact of corporate agribusiness, including farmers driven to suicide due to insurmountable debt and ruined livelihoods. This experience deepened his understanding of the global implications of his fight. However, upon returning home, he faced yet another blow—his wife was hospitalized, and it seemed they were on the verge of losing once again. Despite Jackson’s doubts about their chances, he advised Percy that an appeal to the Supreme Court was still an option.
The film highlights Percy’s resilience and the broader struggle of small farmers against corporate domination, shedding light on the human cost of agricultural monopolies.
Cast director: Clark Johnson
Cast actor: Christopher Walken, Roberta Maxwell, Christina Ricci, Zach Braff, Adam Beach, Luke Kirby, Zoe Fish, Blake Taylor, Andrea del Campo, Martin Donovan
Original name: Percy