Recipes for Disaster follows a young Anglo-Finnish family as they rid themselves of all oil-based products for a year. The challenge proves to be more emotionally difficult than the family anticipates and John, father and instigator of the oil fast, must find a balance between living oil-free and keeping a functional family.
Filmmaker John Webster undertook this oil diet to see what happens when individuals take responsibility for their contributions to climate change. During this year-long fast, the family remains in mainstream society, continuing their suburban lives. But the emotional strain the diet puts on the family offers more drama and opportunity for self-analysis than predicted, and disaster sets in. As John teeters on the brink of extremism, his militancy threatens to pull the family apart. He must negotiate the fine line between fanaticism and staying true to his values.
Recipes for Disaster speaks to each of us and gently offers guidance through the honest and comedic adventures of an everyday family.
‘This is a film about climate change. About catastrophe. And it's funny, painfully funny. We love to blame the corporations and industries for what's going wrong with the planet, but we are mistaken. It's us, baby. You and me. We're the real bad guys.’ John Webster
‘(Recipes for Disaster is)… the best Finnish environmental family comedy documentary ever made.’ Globe and Mail
