The Neglected Miracle

For this five year global inquiry into "who owns our seeds", director Barry Barclay canvassed the views of corporates (vying to profit from owning the DNA of major crop seeds), scientists, and farmers in the developing world. Barclay was inspired to make the feature documentary because "it is crazy to own life"; he later argued big business suppressed the film. This excerpt was filmed across Australia, Costa Rica and the Netherlands. NZ Herald critic Peter Calder later called Miracle "chillingly prescient". A 1988 screening helped spur the Wai 262 Treaty claim, for Māori intellectual property rights involving indigenous flora and fauna. 

Our film invites you on a journey that has involved us for five years, and taken us to a dozen countries. It’s a journey about seeds: about the seeds we plant, to grow crops like beans, maize and wheat. Where do these seeds come from? Who controls them? We didn’t get anything like all the answers, but one thing is certain: whatever one’s discipline or politics, we all depend on seeds for life.

– Opening narration

Key Cast & Crew

Peter Hawes

Associate Director

Annie Collins

Editor

Rory O'Shea

Cinematographer

Keri Kaa

Narrator

Barry Barclay

Director, Writer

Craig Walters

Producer