Film Info90 minutes
Genepool Productions Available for Free AND Ticketed Events! Synopsis: One billion of us take a vitamin or supplement regularly – or give one to our children. Some doctors point to research that shows they can be lifesavers. Many others claim that most vitamin products are useless, and some are downright dangerous. All of this provokes confusion. In a world where even the scientists disagree, how do we decide whether to take them, or not? How do we separate the sense from the nonsense? Dr Derek Muller takes us on an epic journey, a world-spanning investigation of vitamin science and history. What he uncovers will confound opinions on all sides. Action Items
Filmmaker Q&A
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● Describe some of the challenges faced while making this film.
Making this film was, surprisingly, the most challenging film of my career. The science underpinning man-made vitamins is complex and often debated, the chemistry of the products is often impenetrable and hidden behind patents, and the industry is extremely reluctant to engage. We found it more difficult to get into a vitamin chemical plant than a nuclear power plant (as we did in our previous series Uranium -Twisting the Dragons Tale.) After two years of trying, making enquiries to companies across the world, we were unable film inside any factory that produced the vitamin raw materials.
So, we had to find creative ways to tell this part of the story. We worked with chemists at the University of Melbourne to determine how, say, vitamin D could be built. This required actually building vitamins ourselves to ensure we understood the process and the science (an example is shown on our website). This was extremely time consuming and complex, but the end result was we could be confident of the statements made in the film. Five researchers, four associate producers and three scientific fact-checkers were employed over three years to ensure accuracy and scientific rigour. Key advisors spanned the globe. The script has almost 300 end notes! Teams of lawyers were required to ensure that the information presented in the film was above approach. To date, we have not been sued.
The most significant editorial challenge was to find a way through this story of vitamins, whilst refusing to take sides. Vitamania doesn’t attack vitamins nor does it celebrate them, rather we are investigating the history and science underpinning them, asking whether they warrant our trust. The intention is not to debunk or ridicule, nor tell people what health choices they should make. Instead we set out to provide useful information and scientific insight, and to encourage people to question what they put into their bodies.
● How do you approach science storytelling?
Science stories, I believe, are the epic tales of our times. Whether I’m making films about climate change, vaccines, uranium or vitamins, I’m drawn to the stories that polarize. I see my job as a translator of science; for years I sift through masses of data and information, talk to a range of global experts, gather a deep sense of the knowledge underpinning a subject, and then I try to present it in a way that is useful, powerful and (importantly) engaging. My focus is on reaching global ‘lay’ audiences. I constantly need to confront my own bias, seeking to understand issues from other, often opposing, points of view. I’m always looking at how to avoid ‘preaching to the choir’. The key, as I see it, is to use elements that surprise, to confound expectations and stimulate curiosity.
My guiding principle is to embrace complexity. Because, really, you can’t fight it.
● What impact do you hope this film will have?
My hope is that whether people take vitamins or not, they come to this film, learn some surprising new things, enjoy a ride that weaves playfulness and serious intent, and acquire a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the risks and benefits of vitamins. We want to remind people of the remarkable power of food! For too long the vitamin industry has dominated the discussion around ‘vitamins’, to the point that we can forget that they are extraordinary molecules found naturally and easily in food, and that they are essential for life and well-being.
Ultimately, Vitamania aims to empower consumers to make reasoned and informed decisions about vitamins—decisions that can save them money, and might also save their lives
● Were there any surprising or meaningful moments/experiences you want to share?
A young mother, unable to make her son eat fresh fruit or vegetables, watches as he goes blind; another sees her child permanently disabled as a result of her not eating enough leafy green vegetables during pregnancy; poverty and ignorance drive a man to scurvy; and eagerness to be a good mother leads a woman to accidentally poison her child.
In each of these cases, we see people trying to do the best they can, armed only with the knowledge they had at the time. Their regret, grief and pain at their mistakes is palpable.
I am deeply grateful to these families and individuals who were willing to share their personal stories, risking harsh judgement and public ridicule, in order to help others not make the same mistakes.
● Anything else you would like people to know?
On discovering that the scientist who gave vitamins their name was called Dr Casimir Funk, I was inspired to weave science and song. I imagined playful musical numbers that could deliver dense information whilst allowing us to smile. I wanted to surprise, shake up expectations, and keep the audience guessing. I wanted this film and its message to be memorable.
I also wanted kids to be able to enjoy this film, along with their parents and teachers. Within one week of the film being released in Australia the study guides are launched and primary schools request the sheet music for their school bands to perform the songs from the film. Across the country, children are enthusiastically singing The Vitamin Song.
● What next?
I love telling stories of science; and I’m driven to explore polarization and conflict around science. I want to reduce fear. Encourage critical thinking. Enable intelligent conversations. I want to celebrate the fact that it’s cool to be smart. I also want to continue to play with form, and push what a science film is supposed to look and feel like. We have several new science films in development.
Making this film was, surprisingly, the most challenging film of my career. The science underpinning man-made vitamins is complex and often debated, the chemistry of the products is often impenetrable and hidden behind patents, and the industry is extremely reluctant to engage. We found it more difficult to get into a vitamin chemical plant than a nuclear power plant (as we did in our previous series Uranium -Twisting the Dragons Tale.) After two years of trying, making enquiries to companies across the world, we were unable film inside any factory that produced the vitamin raw materials.
So, we had to find creative ways to tell this part of the story. We worked with chemists at the University of Melbourne to determine how, say, vitamin D could be built. This required actually building vitamins ourselves to ensure we understood the process and the science (an example is shown on our website). This was extremely time consuming and complex, but the end result was we could be confident of the statements made in the film. Five researchers, four associate producers and three scientific fact-checkers were employed over three years to ensure accuracy and scientific rigour. Key advisors spanned the globe. The script has almost 300 end notes! Teams of lawyers were required to ensure that the information presented in the film was above approach. To date, we have not been sued.
The most significant editorial challenge was to find a way through this story of vitamins, whilst refusing to take sides. Vitamania doesn’t attack vitamins nor does it celebrate them, rather we are investigating the history and science underpinning them, asking whether they warrant our trust. The intention is not to debunk or ridicule, nor tell people what health choices they should make. Instead we set out to provide useful information and scientific insight, and to encourage people to question what they put into their bodies.
● How do you approach science storytelling?
Science stories, I believe, are the epic tales of our times. Whether I’m making films about climate change, vaccines, uranium or vitamins, I’m drawn to the stories that polarize. I see my job as a translator of science; for years I sift through masses of data and information, talk to a range of global experts, gather a deep sense of the knowledge underpinning a subject, and then I try to present it in a way that is useful, powerful and (importantly) engaging. My focus is on reaching global ‘lay’ audiences. I constantly need to confront my own bias, seeking to understand issues from other, often opposing, points of view. I’m always looking at how to avoid ‘preaching to the choir’. The key, as I see it, is to use elements that surprise, to confound expectations and stimulate curiosity.
My guiding principle is to embrace complexity. Because, really, you can’t fight it.
● What impact do you hope this film will have?
My hope is that whether people take vitamins or not, they come to this film, learn some surprising new things, enjoy a ride that weaves playfulness and serious intent, and acquire a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the risks and benefits of vitamins. We want to remind people of the remarkable power of food! For too long the vitamin industry has dominated the discussion around ‘vitamins’, to the point that we can forget that they are extraordinary molecules found naturally and easily in food, and that they are essential for life and well-being.
Ultimately, Vitamania aims to empower consumers to make reasoned and informed decisions about vitamins—decisions that can save them money, and might also save their lives
● Were there any surprising or meaningful moments/experiences you want to share?
A young mother, unable to make her son eat fresh fruit or vegetables, watches as he goes blind; another sees her child permanently disabled as a result of her not eating enough leafy green vegetables during pregnancy; poverty and ignorance drive a man to scurvy; and eagerness to be a good mother leads a woman to accidentally poison her child.
In each of these cases, we see people trying to do the best they can, armed only with the knowledge they had at the time. Their regret, grief and pain at their mistakes is palpable.
I am deeply grateful to these families and individuals who were willing to share their personal stories, risking harsh judgement and public ridicule, in order to help others not make the same mistakes.
● Anything else you would like people to know?
On discovering that the scientist who gave vitamins their name was called Dr Casimir Funk, I was inspired to weave science and song. I imagined playful musical numbers that could deliver dense information whilst allowing us to smile. I wanted to surprise, shake up expectations, and keep the audience guessing. I wanted this film and its message to be memorable.
I also wanted kids to be able to enjoy this film, along with their parents and teachers. Within one week of the film being released in Australia the study guides are launched and primary schools request the sheet music for their school bands to perform the songs from the film. Across the country, children are enthusiastically singing The Vitamin Song.
● What next?
I love telling stories of science; and I’m driven to explore polarization and conflict around science. I want to reduce fear. Encourage critical thinking. Enable intelligent conversations. I want to celebrate the fact that it’s cool to be smart. I also want to continue to play with form, and push what a science film is supposed to look and feel like. We have several new science films in development.
