BUGS

In recent years the United Nations has suggested that, due to a growing population, we may find ourselves dealing with a food shortage sooner than we think. One of their recommendations: edible insects. Championed by cooks for their unique flavors, and embraced by environmentalists for their small ecological impact, creepy crawlers are being hailed as the miracle cure. In BUGS, director Andreas Johnsen teams up with researchers and chefs from Copenhagen’s Nordic Food Lab to determine whether or not that’s the case. Traveling to such places as Mexico, Australia, Kenya, and Japan, they encounter communities where such delicacies as grasshoppers, termite queens, and venomous hornets are eaten. That may sound unappetizing, but the film’s expert chefs transform these gooey creatures into beautiful, great tasting dishes. Along the way, however, the filmmakers discover a number of things that could dampen the U.N.’s perfect plan. They also learn the food dilemma is less about population growth and more about unfair distribution and corporate greed. This colorful documentary is powerful in its message while allowing for some incredibly fun moments as well. —E.F.