Dianne Kok has produced and edited the documentary. She is a LUMES alumn and is currently working as a project assistant at LUCSUS
In this interview, she describes why it is important to increase awareness about coffee farming in Colombia, and her reasoning for choosing the video format to shine light on these issues.
Why are these issues important to highlight?
In a time when coffee prices are at a historical high, it is important to learn about the journey of coffee before it reaches our cups and to reflect on the influence both producers and consumers have on the global coffee market. Alongside a range of other factors, climate change currently exacerbates insecurities in coffee production, and sustainable production methods are more needed than ever. Farmers in Colombia, one of the world’s leading coffee producers, are exploring specialty coffee as an opportunity to create more equitable and sustainable supply chains and coffee consumption. For consumers of coffee, it is relevant to learn about the challenges in coffee production and the sustainable initiatives being implemented to address this, such as specialty coffee.
Why did you choose the documentary film format?
We chose the audiovisual format of a documentary to present our research findings in an engaging and accessible way. We hope it will engage a large audience and introduce them to our research at LUCSUS. The documentary format also allows us to showcase our footage from the field and highlight the vibrant coffee culture of Colombia.
Who should watch the short documentary?
The intended audience of our documentary is anyone interested in sustainable coffee and specialty coffee, including academics and industry experts working with agrifood production, whether in Colombia or elsewhere. We so hope to incite dialogue and discussion around sustainable agrifood production, including environmental sustainability, security of local livelihoods, and safe and healthy working conditions.
What did you learn while filming it?
Coffee is more than just a commodity - it is deeply rooted in Colombian culture, history, and heritage. This shines through in the deep commitment of coffee farmers to finding solutions for sustainable coffee farming.
What is your advice to coffee drinkers?
Supporting sustainable coffee starts by being mindful of the origin of your coffee and the journey it has been on before ending as our espresso or bryggkaffe - from the coffee's growing conditions and the processing of the beans to its roast and preparation. Ask your barista (or read the package!) and support ethically sourced beans. Every cup of coffee holds a story of resilience and hope - so brew only what you need, savour it, and don't let it go to waste!