The project came about after meeting Laurie Tisch, a prominent philanthropist (and co-owner of the Giants) in Aspen when we first screened our prior film, TEN9EIGHT. After the screening, Laurie asked me if I would be interested in coming to New York to learn more about what the City was doing to combat the devastating rates of obesity, which were disproportionately affecting inner city neighborhoods. I drove through some of these "food deserts" - the South Bronx, Harlem, Bed-Sty - and although I didn't expect to see places to buy healthy foods, I was struck by the number of fast food joints crammed on city blocks... that were everywhere. No apples - but plenty of burgers and fries and shakes. At low cost.
Fast forward 18 months and the result of this collaboration is The Apple Pushers, a 72 minute film, narrated by Edward Norton and underwritten by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund; written and directed by yours truly; produced by me, Tom Scott (founder - Nantucket Nectars), and Christine Vachon (Academy-award winning producer - Mildred Pierce, Boys Don't Cry, Far from Heaven); and Laurie Tisch as executive producer. The project had a special screening at the Aspen Ideas Festival this past summer with the likes of Robin Schepper (Executive Director of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative), speaking after the film.
The Apple Pushers will launch in October - and our fall series of events will be posted within a few days on both the website and on Facebook. We'd love for you to visit our website, www.applepushers.com, and "like" us on facebook.
