Raising Resistance (2011)

Directed by: Bettina Borgfeld, David Bernet | 84 minutes | documentary

Although in recent years more attention has been paid to the dark side of the globally advancing soy industry, the subject often remains underexposed. A relatively unknown country like Paraguay as a setting for this problem makes ‘Raising Resistance’ worth watching for anyone who wants to know more about this than is presented in the mainstream media.

Growing soy production is a topic in which several problematic facets of Latin America meet. There is the environmental problem, the disappearance of hectares and hectares of jungle, the extinction of animal species and plants. Social inequality is exacerbated by soy production and the difficulties that presidents have in overcoming landowners and other traditional rulers are also apparent here. Finally, the oppressed feeling of a small country like Paraguay towards a giant like Brazil is characteristic of the region, and by extension the neo-colonial nature of the soy industry: the soy is used almost exclusively for feeding chickens and livestock in industrialized countries.

Brazilian farms or wealthy farmers buy hectares of land in regions just across the border with what they consider to be a reasonable goal: to provide for themselves while contributing to the growing food needs of the more and more inhabitants of the earth. The landowners want to do this as efficiently as possible: without being bothered by weeds or wild animals, and without being bothered by poor local farmers who mess things up. To prepare the land for large-scale soy cultivation, the landowners have used highly aggressive herbicides and pesticides. No plant can withstand this, except genetically modified soy, specifically designed for this purpose. People in the wide area are affected by this: their own – small-scale – harvest fails, their water becomes polluted and their food is running out, says a local campesina. A boy next door has gone blind from the poison in a nearby stream.

‘Raising Resistance’ is sober, without much stylistic decoration. The spherical landscapes of the Paraguayan landscapes speak for themselves. In the first forty minutes, the different sides of the story are calmly illuminated. The campesinos (small farmers) feel – rightly – oppressed, and want to fight for a minimal existence, with some space to grow their own food, as they have done for generations. They want to be able to practice their profession and live in health. If the growing social inequality in Paraguay can be addressed in this process, it is a plus. The landowners defend their interests, which, as said, are not in themselves ill-intentioned. It is a pity that there is no dialogue of any kind, not an inch of rapprochement from either side. The great absence of authorities in this part of the film is later only barely made up for by a short appearance by President Lugo Mendes.

After explaining the two opposing interests, ‘Raising Resistance’ follows the campesinos’ struggle against the landlords, occupying their land and demanding the attention of the authorities. Lugo is then the only one who dares to emphasize both sides. The social and environmental costs are often too high and there is too little support for the victims.

At the same time, Lugo recognizes the economic benefits of soy production for the country. In practice, unfortunately, it is the latter interest that takes precedence and the promised land reforms in Paraguay have yet to get off the ground, if at all.

In fact, the film doesn’t tell much new to those familiar with the subject matter, but for the vast majority who aren’t, ‘Raising Resistance’ offers an urgent glimpse into a global problem that affects us more than we would initially. want to know.