» Review: Mad City Chickens
I went to Mad City Chickens at the Victoria Film Fest last night. My parents engaged in suburban chicken farming when I was a kid, so I am familiar with the basic concepts and was hoping for a more in-depth look. This documentary did not really deliver.
The film was produced by some people in Madison, Wisconsin – possibly in response to legalization of suburban chicken ownership in that municipality. They randomly collected interviews and other footage relating to amateur chicken ownership and sloppily spliced them together into a feature-length film.
Don’t get me wrong, they got some good footage, including:
- a tour of a hatchery
- an interview with a poultry researcher (“Q: Do hens need a rooster to lay eggs? A: Do women?”)
- the evolution of a family getting their first chickens
- an interview with a bird flu expert
- some interesting anecdotes from chicken owners
But, like many documentaries, there was no flow or overarching narrative. Much of the content was filler. And the filmmakers’ weren’t working within a particularly interesting geographic area: I could have easily made the same movie in Victoria.
I love Mad City Chickens!
Besides basic info like, “Where do I get started?”, “How many might I need?”, “ How can hens lays eggs for years without the encouragement of a rooster?” (our females ovulate regularly even without a rooster about) – the film covered things I’d been wondering about, “In cold winter weather, do I need to bring them indoors?” (no, they’re tough), “What about Bird Flu? Is it worth the risk?” (It is! Experts say the risk for small flocks is even smaller), “Are home grown eggs really better than store-bought factory eggs?” (they are! decidedly!)
But the sweet thing about Mad City Chickens is that the filmmakers were determined to make this FUN! It’s delivered up with a quirky flare that lifts the film out of the “info doc”/good-for-you-to-know documentary to cult entertainment. There’s a definitely creepy, occasional on-screen host, a stereotype of a Fifties news-guy, who introduces some sequences. There are animated bits, and a monster chicken terrifying the streets of Metropolis Madison. The filmmakers have a cameo or two, and tons of shots of the weirdest looking birds. There’s a portrait of rags-to-riches chick supply baron, and a touching story of a chicken who survived being a battery bird, gassed, and dumped, who went from bare-assed, garbage dump roadrunner to fully fledged and loving family pet.
I’m looking forward to sharing this lively film with Victoria’s “Chicken Underground”; hard core poultry keepers, those who have always wondered about having a few birds and their own yard-fresh eggs (I’m one of those), and those who just like looking at chickens …. and the equally entertaining enthusiasts who are already doing it.
Bruce Saunders programmer of Movie Monday a 16 year old weekly film series in Victoria BC Canada www.moviemonday.ca
Bruce Saunders
30 Mar 09 at 8:34 am
I loved this movie! I bought it on DVD and watched solo at home. It’s funny, smart, informative! As a documentary it is uniquely put together so that it does not bore, but rather has a cleverly woven variety of storylines that I found very appealing…definitely not predictable, droll documentary fare. I can’t wait for the screening coming here to Davis, CA on 8/8 at the Brunelle Theater. Should be even more fun watching it in the company of other chicken, sustainable living fans!
Jacqueline Clemens
25 Jul 09 at 10:20 pm