All language subtitles for percy.2020.480p.webrip.x264.mkv

Some farmers
buy their seeds

from the big guys
every year to plant.

Me? I save my own.

That's what I do. I'm a seed saver.

I gotta get out there.

Sorry.

Sorry.

That's what you get
for planting early.

Sorry, Karl.

Gotta go. Don't wait up.

Don't ever trust
a weather report.

Gotta get 'em up now.

Field two?

Yeah,
before the rains hit.

That's all she'll hold.

Auger's stuck!

That's it. Got 'em.

You take this load in.
I'll finish up.

Okay, see you tomorrow.

That's one way
of skipping the sermon.

I reckon...

God will understand.

First canola
I seen come in this year.

Bet you're making a killing.

That's a lot of money.

Take a look at that.

What?

Yeah!

So?

What do you think?

What did that set you back?

It's an investment.
Don't talk to me about money.

- Missy, wanna go for a ride? Hey!
- Yeah!

No. You know what, sweetheart?
We have to go in.

Aw! No fair.

Come on,
let's wash up for dinner.

I told you.

Come here.

We know you love carrots.

There you go.
Another carrot?

Yeah!

Okay, here they are.
Carrots and peas. There you go.

Mary, can you go
wash your hands, please?

But I'm not using them.
I'm using...

Hey, Ron. What you got?

Package for Mr. Percy Schmeiser.
You have to sign.

What is it?

I deliver the mail, Percy.
I don't write it.

Dad?

Thanks.

Dad?

Percy Schmeiser
to speak with, uh,

Rick Aarons.

- Did you wash your hands?
- No.

Did you? Let me see them.

Right in between there
and there, you gotta...

- Those are my veins.
- You've gotta go back.

I've received
this statement of claim.

Look, there's gotta be
a mistake.

I got my own seeds.

Grandpa!

Your grandad's hiding.

What?
You're calling me a thief.

- You want me to cease what?
- Who's that?

Farming? No, no. That... Really?

No stranger's gonna come in my
field and take samples of my plants.

What do you mean?

Court order?

- How'd you do that?
- Dad...

Fine, but I'll be there
when they come by.

Thank you.

Daddy told me your great-grandma
sewed seeds into her dresses.

That's right.

My great-great-grandma

sewed 'em into her dress
to keep 'em hidden.

Coming over
from the old country,

seeds was the most
valuable thing they had.

Who are those men, Grandpa?

Mr. and Mrs. Schmeiser,
welcome.

I'm Jackson Weaver.

Um...

Yeah, a lot of partners
for a small firm.

Most of those guys are down
in Florida playing golf.

Come on in.

So, how can I help?

This can't wait.
We got a... This.

They got a court injunction to
take samples from our fields.

Trying to fleece me
outta 19 grand.

Oh, yeah.

These are not small claims court
kind of guys.

- I never bought their seed.
- They're not saying you did.

They're saying you grew it
without a license.

Okay. Um, well, first things
first, I'll call them

and we'll set up a time
for them to come get samples.

They've come already.

Yeah, this is a PI firm. They're...
they're mostly ex-cops.

Look, if there's even
a little contamination,

I strongly suggest
that you settle.

Maybe offer them five,
see if you can

- get them down to ten.
- Thousand?

That's your
300-bucks-an-hour advice?

Offer 'em a small fortune

'cause they send me
a nasty letter?

- Must be nice to be a lawyer.
- Percy...

You're entitled to contest
your claim in court,

but you do need to understand
that if you lose,

on top of all the damages,
you're gonna have to pay

all of their legal bills,
which, I can assure you,

will be a hell of a lot
more than $10,000.

Feels like you're angling
for a fight, Percy.

- Field number seven?
- Yup.

What the heck does he want?

I told ya this wasn't just
gonna go away, Percy.

Morning.

Mr. Jackson.

Mr. Weaver. Jackson Weaver.
Page A-5.

I did a little research. Monsanto's
claiming the canola you grew in '97

contained a technology in the
seed's gene that they created.

It's a pesticide-resistant gene.

It seems that,
even after your crop is already growing,

you can spray the entire field
with their herbicide.

It's called Roundup.

It kills all the weeds,
but leaves your crop.

They spray the crop
and we eat it.

If I could just talk
to Monsanto, clear this up.

I think it's beyond talking,
Mr. Schmeiser.

Monsanto's tests showed
substantial contamination

of their gene in your crop.

That's a load of bull!

Look! These are my seeds, okay?

These are Monsanto GM seeds
I got from my neighbor Karl.

How hard would it be
to swap these for these, huh?

Sir, accusing them
of conspiracy

is only gonna make us
seem more guilty.

My advice, once again,
you should settle.

Give 'em ten K
just like that!

And all of these
have to go to the company.

How's that?

They have the gene in them,

so Monsanto will say that all
of this is their property.

Guess we're going to court then.

Will Percy have to testify?

Oh, definitely.
Is that gonna be a problem?

You ready for this, Percy?

Getting his driver's license photo
is too much limelight for him.

I'll do it if I need to.

Well, we're gonna rehearse
exactly what you're gonna say.

And if you really want to go for
this, we're gonna need witnesses.

That's out. I can't trouble other people.
It's my problem.

But we need someone
to back up your story.

How 'bout Alton?
He works for Percy sometimes.

Good luck with that.

All right, well,
then someone else.

It's a key part of building your case.
Talk to him.

Here, turkey.
Here, here.

Grandma, let's go!

Okay.

Read about you
in the paper there, Perce.

Save room for the hot dog
eating contest there, Karl.

Hello.

Okay, Grandpa. We gotta go.

All right, this is it,

the moment
we've all been waiting for.

The 63rd annual
Bruno Zucchini race! Step up!

On your mark,

get set,

go!

Look at Canola Conquest go!

And the winner is
Mary Schmeiser!

We did it, Grandpa! We won!

Damn, that's good.
You ladies made these?

Best pie maker
in all of Saskatchewan.

"Bruno Women's Institute."
Good cause.

- Here's your change.
- Thank you.

- You folks from around here?
- No, ma'am.

We are on our way to the
Rockies for our honeymoon.

Yeah, and who might you be,
best pie maker?

I'm Louise.

This is Brenda,
best pie maker's partner.

- Well, I'm Jane and this be my new husband John.
- Oh.

Mr. Schmeiser, careful with
those pies. Worth a fortune.

Oh, Percy. Thank you.

Jane and her hubby John?

The Does? Nice.

You gonna talk to Karl
or am I?

I'll do it.

You're gonna need
some fries with that.

Hey, Karl.

You sure got people talking.

What they saying?

That you stole Monsanto's seed
because it's better than yours.

You know
I'm not a thief, right?

But I could do with a bit
of help here at my hearing.

Percy Schmeiser
asking for help?

I only need you
to go on record,

tell 'em you've been
my neighbor all these years,

that I always save my seed.

Percy... I can't.

I do business
with these guys.

I can't afford to get
on the wrong side of them.

That's all right, Karl.
You know, I'll figure something out.

Yeah.

Mr. Schmeiser,
have you ever purchased Monsanto canola?

How long have you been
a seed saver?

Have you signed
a contract with Monsanto?

In 1998, were you trying to grow

an herbicide-resistant crop?

Finally, Mr. Schmeiser,
most importantly,

have you ever knowingly planted
Monsanto's GM canola?

Well, have you?

You've got a hostile
witness there, Weaver.

My client was unable
to make rehearsal.

Did you get his retainer?

I think he's good for it.

I'd push for a settlement
if I were you.

And you need
to project more.

What do you think?

Wait.

- Rick Aarons.
- Jackson Weaver. Nice to meet you.

Just wanted to say,
I think it's very brave what you're doing.

Really, very courageous of you.
Good luck.

Order. All rise.

This court is open.
Please be seated.

Mr. Aarons.

My Lord, this is an action
for patent infringement.

The Monsanto Company
owns a patent to a gene

which, when incorporated
into canola,

renders it tolerant to a powerful
herbicide called Roundup.

A farmer can kill
all the weeds in the field

and yet have the crop survive.

Through tests conducted on the
canola leaf and seed samples

taken from
Mr. Schmeiser's field,

it was determined by no less than
three independent laboratories

that the seed, indeed,
is property of Monsanto.

Mr. Schmeiser?

Mr. Schmeiser?
Hi. I'm Rebecca Salcau.

- I'm from the People for...
- I don't have any...

- Excuse me?
- ...smokes.

Oh, I'm not... I'm
not bumming a smoke from you.

I'm here to help you
with your case.

- Help how?
- Oh...

Percy, you're gonna catch
a cold out here.

I have to get back in.
Excuse me.

I'm... I'm actually
coming in too.

Mrs. Schmeiser?
Are you Mrs. Schmeiser?

Yes.

Hi. I'm Rebecca.

Louise Schmeiser.

Rebecca Salcau from the PEP,

the People for
Environmental Protection.

- I was trying to tell your...
- He's not usually like this.

- Mr. Schmeiser?
- There you are. Been looking all over for you.

- You're up next. Are you ready?
- It's a lotta steps.

- Catch your breath.
- Mr. Weaver, hi. I'm Rebecca Salcau

from the People for
Environmental Protection.

I've left several messages
at your office.

What... Whatever you're talking
about, it's not for me.

You don't understand.
This is a precedent setting case.

- You could change history.
- He's about to testify. Just give him room...

In order to do that,
we need to show how this GM tech

is bad for
all independent farmers.

It does not matter
whether Mr. Schmeiser

intentionally used
Monsanto seeds or not.

- The hell it doesn't.
- No.

Ms. Salcau,
I appreciate your passion.

- I know what I'm talking about.
- That's very clear,

- but you're standing in the men's room.
- It's for men.

I'll wait in the hall.

Where did you find her?

She found me.

Mr. Schmeiser, over the years,
how have your plants been

in terms of
incidence of diseases?

Good. I haven't lost a crop
in 50 years.

And to what would you
attribute your success?

I'm a seed saver.

And... And what does
that mean?

Well, every summer
I study my crops.

I get to know them.
I study how they react

to too much heat, drought,
too much rain.

I try to find the plants
that are the most virile

and I save those seeds
for next year's planting.

It's how my father taught me to
farm and his father taught him.

Mr. Schmeiser,
have you ever bought

- bootleg Roundup Ready canola from anyone?
- No.

Have you ever attended one of
Monsanto's informational meetings?

No.

Have you ever signed
a contract with Monsanto

- to grow their Roundup Ready canola?
- I have not.

And when you grew
your 1998 canola crop,

did you intend to grow a
Roundup herbicide-tolerant crop?

I did not.

Thank you. That is all.

Mr. Schmeiser,

in 1998, you say
you planted field number two

with seed from your '97 crop.

That's correct.

And, in June of '97,

you hand-sprayed Roundup
around power poles.

And the ditches.
I always do.

And ten days later,

you noticed that about 60%
or so of the crop didn't die?

That's correct.

Were you surprised?

I was, yeah.

I hadn't seen that before.

Did you tell anyone about this?

No. I figured I hadn't
had the chemical mixed right.

So, you experimented by spraying
another four acres of the field?

Yes.

And noticed that, again,

about 60% of the canola
survived?

About that, yeah.

- At that point, were you concerned?
- Not really.

It was thickest by the road,
so I figured...

it had blown off
passing farm equipment.

Did you consider it
to be contaminated?

I did. Yeah, I guess so.

In August, you and Mr. Alton Kelly
swathed and combined the field,

including the areas
you sprayed.

- That's correct.
- You've just told us

that you considered it
to be contaminated

and yet, strangely,
you decided that the yield from this field

should be kept as seed
for the following year.

I did. But, see,
they were healthy plants

and I figured they wouldn't
harm my seed stock.

That's what I do,
I save strong plants

to get the best seeds
over the years.

I didn't know anything
about any patent.

And they were on my land.

- Hey, Schmeisers.
- Hey, Dana.

Where'd they get hold
of all that stuff?

They have, like, 100 lawyers
on the clock 24/7, so...

Are you following me?

I'm the one
that's already here.

Look, I reckon my wife's gonna
invite you to join our table.

I'd appreciate it if you'd,
you know, make an excuse.

Rebecca, why don't you
come and join us?

Thank you, Louise.
I would love that.

Yeah, come and join us.

Uh, wax beans?

Um, that's not gonna work.
Has everyone else ordered?

Yeah? Uh, how do you
cook your fries?

We fry them.

Right, but in what?

The fryer.

You know what?
It is fine.

I will just have a green salad,
please, with oil and vinegar.

Thank you.

I feel like I'm in Fargo.

- I've been to Fargo.
- Oh.

So, Percy, you haven't lost
a crop in 50 years?

- Correct.
- That's incredible.

How long has your family
been farming?

- Generations.
- Hmm.

I became a teacher instead of
following in my father's footsteps.

Not just mine.
Your grandfather's,

your great-great-grandfather's...

All the way back to
the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

- You think it's a joke.
- No, sir.

Two hundred years ago,
we were serfs back in Europe.

We risked everything
to come to this country.

You know why?

To escape the same crap

this damn corporation's
trying to pull on us right now!

Exactly! Would you just say
that to a journalist or two?

- No way!
- Why not?

What you're doing is heroic.
You should be recognized.

It's a private matter
between me and Monsanto.

Try the veal.
I'm here all week.

See ya around.

You try to fight them
on your own, you will lose.

We can help pay
your legal fees.

How?

Percy tells his story.
We collect donations.

I'm no charity case.

It's not charity.
There are thousands of people

who want to support you.

I'm no poster boy, neither.

- Take care.
- Come on, Ma.

Bye! Get home safe.

Now, let's talk about that
stormy day in field number seven.

We had heavy winds
and there was a lot of canola

blowing in
from a neighbor's fields.

And then what happened?

I picked it up with the combine,
just like the rest.

So, plants from
the other farmer's fields

may have accounted
for some of the seeds

that Mr. Schmeiser saved
for his crop that year?

That's correct.

Now, the whole point
of Roundup Ready canola,

as I understand it,
is that when you grow it,

you can spray all of your crops
with Roundup.

- Is that correct?
- Yes.

Has Mr. Schmeiser
ever asked you

to spray a field of growing
canola plants with Roundup?

No. He did not.

Thank you.

Okay.

Perce.

Did you interview
any farmers

who were growing
Roundup Ready canola

as to whether they sold
Mr. Schmeiser any GMO canola?

I believe I did, yes.

Now, do you recall
an interview

with a Mr. Karl Steiger?

It was in a room
at the Frontier Hotel.

And did you turn the heat up
on Mr. Steiger

during this interview,
intimidate him a little?

Did you imply to him
that you had proof

that he sold Roundup Ready
canola to Mr. Schmeiser?

I believe the words
I used were,

"I know you sold Roundup Ready
canola to Mr. Schmeiser."

But you were bluffing
at that point?

I didn't have
any factual evidence.

I see. Thank you.

So, in 1997, you grew a crop
of Roundup Ready canola?

I had a crop,
you betcha, yes.

And where did you buy the Roundup
Ready canola that you seeded in '97?

At the pool elevator in Bruno.

How was it packaged?

In bags.

Did any of the bags ever break?

Yeah, when I was loading
the bags into the truck,

one of 'em spilled open.

Any seeds leak out?

Well, they sure could have.

They're making the bags
out of paper now.

What route do you take back to your
farm, Mr. Steiger?

It was the Bruno grid.

The Bruno grid.

Now, is the Bruno grid
in this area? Am I right?

Right... Right by Mr...

Yeah, it goes
right by Percy's fields.

Runs right past
Percy's fields.

Thank you, sir.

Perce.

You couldn't bring her in?

Okay. I gotta run.
Okay. Bye.

- Good job, Jackson.
- Thank you, sir. I think that went pretty well.

Yeah, don't get
too comfortable, boys.

That big-city lawyer
won't let this die in Humboldt.

While we wait,
I'm gonna stir up some press.

More to come.

Other farmers
say that they have come to rely

on Monsanto seeds
for higher yields.

Meanwhile, Schmeiser's
defense team is asserting

that the genetically
modified seeds

were blown
from his neighbor's truck

as he drove by his fields.

The trial will be resuming
later this month.

The judge resides...

So, here's the verdict.

"A farmer whose field
contains seed or plants"

originating from seed
spilled into them

or blown as seed in swaths
from a neighbor's land,

or even growing
from germination

by pollen carried
into his field from elsewhere,

does not own the right to use
the patented gene, or seed,

"or plant containing the gene."

What does it mean?

It means it doesn't matter
how it got there,

or what percentage
is even contaminated.

Everything you grew
belongs to Monsanto.

How much do I owe?

- $105,000.
- Oh.

It's all the revenue
from your 1998 crop,

plus Monsanto's legal fees.

And, Percy, it says here that
you're instructed to hand over

all seeds
from last year's crop.

Everything I got's
in those seeds.

Nothing else we can do?

You know,
I wouldn't advise it,

but there may be grounds
for an appeal.

It would draw this out longer.

And, of course,
it would cost more...

Money.

This is getting out of hand.

Also, I really...
I hate to bring this up now, but,

there is the matter
of my fee as well.

I'll see to it.

You saying my farm's
not good enough collateral?

Look, Percy,

how long have we
known each other?

Thanks for your time, Sam.

- Caller, you there?
- I don't like the seed companies,

but as far as I can tell, Schmeiser's
a thief and deserves what he got.

How could you be a farmer for
years and not know what's in your field?

I've known Percy Schmeiser all my life...

...and there's no way
he's a thief.

Hello.

Hello?

This a joke?

Best I can do.

Resells aren't what
they used to be, Perce.

You sure
you wanna plant these oats?

I gotta put something
in the ground.

Hey, we're watching you,
seed-stealer.

Good luck getting home.

It's no more than
an eighth of a teaspoon.

Mm-hmm. Doesn't it
smell good in here?

Are we late?

Louise.

Did you pay
the fencing bill?

It says we're past due.

Brenda and I have been voted
off the Planning Committee.

If you're making tea,
I'll have a cup.

Okay. There you are.

What's wrong?

Louise...

Apparently,
given our current situation,

we're not appropriate
to represent the community.

Brenda's furious.
She blames us.

What's Brenda
got to do with it?

Alton gave evidence for you.

So, it's my fault?

If the cap fits...

It's just pies.

It's not just pies.

It's our friendships,
it's our community.

I'll sort it out.

Louise...

You don't know
how strong the patent is

until Schmeiser violates it
and it's upheld in court.

The decision
has set a world standard

in intellectual property
protection.

Okay, stop.

It's good press, but it's not
gonna do anything to stop wheat.

He's the best lead we've got
and you know it.

Is he even appealing?

Not yet.
But I can convince him.

He won't win.

We do not need him
to win, Roger.

We just need him
to keep fighting.

He hasn't signed
a non-disclosure agreement.

So, he can still go public.

He's 150K in the hole
and we can use that.

Imagine, this poor, naive,
salt-of-the-earth farmer

publicly brought to ruin at the
hands of the evil corporation.

By the time we're done, there won't be
a single representative in Washington

who'll support wheat.

Schmeiser...
I can't sell that name.

It sounds like a beer.
Schmeiser Light.

I don't see the return on this.
We don't have the budget.

Don't give me a per diem.

Okay, okay, okay, okay.
But, Rebecca,

you have to
make this real now.

I'll take the bus.

Take the bus.

I'm sorry
I don't have more to offer.

No time for baking.

We're doing fine.

Of course.

I come from a family
of farmers,

so I understand
how resilient you have to be.

Your people are farmers?

Well, not my parents,
but on my mother's side a ways back.

I have cousins in Minnesota
who grow wheat.

Now, Percy,
last time I saw you,

you said you were
not interested in speaking.

Still ain't.

Okay. Well, I'm assuming
that you have seen this.

This is a printout
from Monsanto's website.

That says that you knowingly
segregated and planted their seeds.

That's their message,
and they are spreading it every day.

Now, I just thought you might want a
chance to tell your side of the story.

I'm figuring to appeal.

Nothing's been decided yet.

Well, how much
would an appeal cost?

We can help with that.

We would set up
public speaking forums for you

and collect donations
from the audience.

And how much money
are we going to bring in?

Well, that would
depend on Percy,

on how hard
he's willing to work.

But maybe a few thousand.

Maybe ten.
Maybe hundreds of thousands.

What's your cut?

No cut.

100% of what is donated
to you goes to you.

And we'd cover
any travel expenses.

What's in it for you?

The PEP is trying its hardest

to stop GMO wheat
before they sneak it in.

You're helping us
raise awareness.

Please think about it.

I'll make up the spare room
for you, dear.

Hi, everybody.
Hey, thanks for coming.

Look, uh,
I know times are tough.

We're here to offer solutions.

If you plant Monsanto's
genetically engineered seed,

our trials are showing
that you actually farm

twice the amount of land
in half the amount of time.

What if I ain't got twice the land?

Well, then I suggest that
you start looking for more,

because if you want to
get rid of your weed problems,

all you gotta do is spray
Roundup on your crop two times,

once two weeks after you plant,

and then mid-season when the
canola's about knee-height,

and then,
you're doing well until harvest.

You might even get
a week's worth of vacation.

Smells like a stinkin'
pile of manure to me.

Okay, well, look, guys,
I can sell you different seed varieties,

- but nothing is gonna be as good as these.
- What are you doing here?

- I'll even bet you $500...
- Nothing. Just checking it out.

...you won't even find
anything else out there like it.

Now, look, there are
some growers out there

that are trying to
get the same advantages

you are all willing
to pay good money for,

by growing our seed
without a license.

As far as I'm concerned,
that's freeloading and it's stealing,

and not just from Monsanto,
but from you too.

So, if you hear anything
or see anything suspicious,

we have a 1-800 number,
it's totally anonymous...

It's a damn snitch line!

They want us
to rat each other out!

- You're nothing but a two-bit thief!
- Who said that?

The newspapers!

Okay, calm down, guys.
Calm down.

Look, it's not a snitch line.

- There he goes.
- Yeah.

Look, guys,
come up and get some cards,

sign up before it's too late
and go ahead and grab some ribs.

We're appealing this case.

What do I have to do?

You've gone over
what you're gonna say?

Only about a hundred times.

- Well, simple and straightforward is best.
- I'm gonna talk about...

Thank you for joining us

for what's to be
an informative discussion

about the dangers of GMOs

or "Genetically
Modified Organisms."

But we at the PEP
can't do this ourselves.

To stop what's coming,
it's going to take a lot of us

standing up
and having our voices heard,

which brings me
to our next speaker,

a farmer who has been fighting
a legal battle against Monsanto.

His name is Percy Schmeiser.

Percy.

Yeah, uh...

I am a...

I am...

a farmer.

I grow canola.

I did.

My grandad used to say

that each farming season
carried a promise

that the seeds would get
a little bit stronger.

He said that if you follow
seeds back through generations,

you'd get an unbroken history to
the beginning of recorded time.

Civilization started
when we figured out how to farm.

Farming is the foundation

for everything we care about.

They said I've grown Monsanto's
canola without a license.

It don't matter
how it got there.

Wherever a plant grows
that contains Monsanto's gene,

it belongs to the company.

Everything I worked
all my life for is theirs.

So, my wife and I figure...

we gotta keep fighting.
All right?

That's it. Thank you.

St. John's, Newfoundland,
Oakland, California...

28 cities.

People don't even farm
most of those places.

That's right.
We're spreading your message.

All right?

That's it.

...a farmer.

I grow canola. I did.

My grandad used to say

that each farming season
carried a promise

that the seeds would grow
a little bit stronger.

He said that if you follow seeds
back through generations...

Wheat is Monsanto's next target,

a multi-billion-dollar-a-year
industry.

If that happens, we have lost.

Now, as the government,
the courts,

they tell us
farmers' rights don't matter.

Only the corporations matter.

So, what's going to happen

when we spray these toxic
substances onto our wheat?

Wheat that is ground down into the
flour that is baked into bread.

Can we get a comment?

Him. Him. That guy.

Monsanto owns it.
So, somehow, it's my obligation

to check my land
for their seeds.

Where's their obligation

to make sure their seeds
don't get on my land?

...by the time it gets to our
dinner plates, contains glyphosate,

the main ingredient in
Monsanto's herbicide, Roundup.

We're not backing down.

What they're doing is not right

and somebody's
got to say something.

That was great. Good job.

Hey, girl.

How's the...

This is great.
This is exactly what we need, Percy.

This is big. Millions of people
see his column every week.

Guess I better not
mess it up then.

Why would you segregate the GMO
seeds unless you wanted to grow more?

Back then, I didn't know
anything about patented seeds.

- So, you did do it on purpose?
- No.

- Tom, I think you're missing the point.
- Am I?

'Cause it sounds to me like he
used Monsanto's seeds on purpose.

I never bought them. You know how many
genes Monsanto puts into GMO canola?

One in 5,000.

They swap out
one gene in 5,000.

Suddenly, I get sued
for doing the same thing

my family's been doing
for hundreds of years.

Which, lest we forget,
is toiling day in and day out,

for very little pay,
to put food on our tables.

That's right.

Oh, I wouldn't do that
if I were you.

Karl sprayed this field
last week with glyphosate.

Thank you, Tom. If you need anything
else, please give my office a call.

Sounds good.
Take care. Thank you.

Nobody'd be spraying
this time of year.

He doesn't know that.

"Seeds of discord."

For doing
what he's always done,

Percy Schmeiser,
a Saskatchewan canola farmer,

is being sued by
agribusiness giant Monsanto

"in landmark seed piracy case."

Front page of the Washington Post.
It's huge!

This one says he was fined
for growing GMO soy.

He couldn't afford to fight it,
but he wants you to keep going.

He has included
a check for $10.

So many people.
Who'd have thought it?

See, Percy, press pays.

People are so generous.

- Hello, Mr. Schmeiser.
- Hello.

- Hello.
- Percy, I think Monsanto's

security guys are on my land.

- Say again?
- They're here.

Can you get over here?

Okay, I'm coming.

I've told you
to get out of my field!

I've called the police.

Get off this man's property.

Whoa, come on,
there's no need for that.

You're trespassing!

Come on, let's go.

You can't intimidate
these people!

We won't stop.
We won't stop

until you stop spraying
your chemicals on our food!

I'm gonna sue your ass.

Go for it.

Hey.

The reason
they're going after Alton

is because he's supporting us.

That's how these big
seed companies work.

They go after anyone
who speaks out against them.

That's why this appeal
is so important.

Well, we can't afford
a lawyer.

They're tearing
our community apart.

We gotta stand together.

With what money?

You haven't paid us in weeks

and you're never here.

Look, your crops are failing.

Never thought I'd be
asking help from strangers.

Well, you did.

But it doesn't do any good
unless you take it.

We're talking about
people's hard-earned money.

It just don't feel right.

You should read
the letters.

"Dear Percy and
Louise, when I read your story"

and what Monsanto's doing with
their genetically modified seeds,

"it made me sick.
What gives them the right to patent..."

"When they came after
me, I settled.

But now, I wish I didn't.
I'm behind you all the way."

"Thank you
for what you're doing."

I own a bakery
and I'm terrified

"Monsanto will give us
genetically modified wheat."

"Dear Mr. Schmeiser,"

many farmers here in southern
Pakistan are struggling

"under the introduction
of genetically modified crops."

"Maybe we can be like
you and your wife. Thank you."

We enclosed a check.
It's not much,

"but it comes
with our best wishes."

"We have very little money,

but we'll do what we can
to support your cause."

So, I have found a way for you
to make some extra money.

You've been invited to speak at
a major international conference

on food security
in India next month.

India?
What about the harvest?

Uh, I had to pull some major
strings to make this happen.

This is a big deal.
There'll be dignitaries,

philanthropists,
agents of change.

The whole world is watching!

The whole world is watching!

- Excuse me, Mr. Schmeiser.
- Excuse me.

- Mr. Schmeiser.
- We just want to get inside.

What are your chances
in this appeal?

I feel confident.

No, no, GMO! No, no, GMO!

No, no, GMO!

You okay?
It was quite a scene out there.

- I'm fine.
- Good.

About India, I could
really use your support.

Well, that's up to Percy.

He won't go
without your blessing.

It could mean
a lot more money in donations.

- We need him at home.
- I know, but if you...

If you stop him from fighting
this, he'll resent you for it.

You don't know
what you're talking about.

What about Brenda and Alton?

Now they've been
dragged into this.

The only way to help them
is to continue working with us.

Rebecca...

some things are more
important than your campaign.

Your grandmother
and your grandfather

weren't farmers, were they?

But you'll say anything
to get what you want.

This is not about
what I want.

Rebecca,

Percy will do
the right thing.

Excuse me.

Took me, like,
six hours to get here.

The Third District Court
of Appeals is now in session.

It's like
they're multiplying.

Mr. Weaver, shall we begin?

Good morning, My Lord.

Mr. Schmeiser's 17 grounds
for appeal are as follows.

A, interpreting the Patent Act

so as to deprive farmers
the ownership

of canola plants and seed
containing the patented gene.

B, finding that
it is not necessary

that a farmer take advantage
of the patented gene...

The trial's expected
to last up to three weeks.

Monsanto will continue
with its case tomorrow,

focusing on the investigation
that led to the discovery

of the genetically
modified canola.

Percy Schmeiser sees himself

as David up against Goliath.

A 73-year-old farmer
trying to stop big agribusiness

from controlling
the seeds he plants.

So, about India...

I can't go to India.

I need to take care
of my business.

I understand.

But what about all those
farmers that wrote you?

This is a chance
to give them a voice

in front of
a global audience.

Are you just gonna
let them down?

I didn't promise them
anything.

You took their money
and you cashed their checks.

What is that?

Seed has always been

a renewable resource
in farmers' hands.

Seed that is renewable
by its very nature

is now made non-renewable

and we see the consequences
of this in India

where, since the big companies
came in

and took over the seed supply,
especially in cotton,

we have had
270,000 farmer suicides,

most of them driven by debt

and the debt caused by
high-cost non-renewable seeds.

Now, it's going to get
a little hectic,

so stay focused, on message.

Percy?

Stay focused, yeah.

Hello.

Monsanto says you should know

if you've got their genetic
property on your land. But how?

Their GM crop
looks exactly the same.

The only way you can know

is by spraying your field
with their chemicals.

Then, everything that dies

and is worthless,
that's what belongs to you.

Everything that survives
has their GM gene

and belongs to the company.

- I am from South Africa.
- Hello.

We have a drought.
Scientists are saying

GM crops are the only way
to stop millions starving.

- You're saying you want my family to starve?
- No, I'm not saying that.

No, this is important.
GMOs can help us.

In the '80s, the University
of Hawaii created a GM papaya

resistant to a virus that was
wiping out the local crop.

- It saved the whole industry.
- I'm not aware of that.

Oh, come on!
As if big agro cares about food.

They only care about money!

Folks!

Don't fight! Don't do it.

It's what they want...

for us to fuss and argue

'cause, while we fight,
they take over.

In this country, people die.

They get into debt to Monsanto,
they lose land.

Sometimes, they end their life.

For me, I understand
that I might lose my farm.

Now, if they take my farm,

if they take my land,

that's it.

There's nothing left.

So, I get it.

No one's gonna help us but us.

We gotta stop fighting.

Do not give them what they want.

Pretty noisy in there.
Boisterous.

Yeah, you could say that.

I saw your speech,
Mr. Schmeiser.

It's not an easy thing to do.

That's for sure.

We've heard your story.
You're fighting back. You make us hope.

You... you are our hero,
our champion.

I'm a farmer, just a farmer.

I, too, am just a farmer.

Would you like to see
a little bit of my India?

We consider it holy
to feed a cow.

In India, we small farmers feed
more than one billion people.

And a lot of this produce

comes from villages
just like mine,

these vegetables,
onions, potatoes.

A few years ago,
GMOs came promising miracles.

Their seed is not meant
for our climate.

It's meant for irrigated land

and seems to need much,
much higher amounts of water

than we have from the rains.

This is my village.

Seventy-five percent have lost
their land to pay off debts.

Five young men
have taken their own lives.

What about your farm?

I have relatives in all these
homes, many of these homes.

A lot of them
have seen suffering.

Oi!

This is my village, sir.

This way, sir.

Why were you
at the conference, Vasu?

I was there
to support my son.

You have a son, sir?

I do.

- Is he a farmer, too?
- No.

Perhaps in times such as these
that is not such a bad thing.

Did your son...

He was a farmer.

Would you like a cup of tea?
That's my daughter-in-law.

Hi.

- Sir.
- Thanks.

These companies are
going to swallow us up.

Do you know
of the Bhagavad Gita?

In it there's a saying,

"Don't measure
the results of your actions.

Measure the effort.

Most important
is to do the right thing."

Percy...

it's Louise.

Louise...

Hey.

They told me
she fell down the stairs.

Yeah. I found her
on the living room floor.

She was there
for five hours.

How could that happen?

Come on, Dad.

With the stress
that she's been under,

I mean, up there all alone...

You should go home now, Pete.
Get some rest.

And thanks...
for looking after your mom.

I'll see you later.

Yeah.

Louise...

In this appeal,
the parties made submissions

on a large number
of relevant factors.

It is the unanimous decision
of this court

that there is no basis
for interfering

with the exercise
of the trial judge's decision.

The appeal
will therefore be dismissed.

Just a bit under $1.2 million.

That's how much you owe.

Consultation fees, 44,000.

Travel expenses, 57,000.

Meals and entertainment,

1,400.

That's it?
They had a party.

We're gonna lose
the farm, Percy.

This is what happens when
you get lawyers involved.

I can't believe
you let this happen.

I advised them against this
from the start.

I told them this was dangerous.

You get off taking on the big
boys, that's your thing.

- Are you questioning my professional integrity?
- Yes!

Are you kidding me?
I've been doing everything I can

for the last two years,
up against a behemoth

with... with infinite financial
and legal resources.

And I'm completely on my own.

I've been putting my...
my professional reputation,

my career, on the line.

And I never once...

I'm sorry.

There's nothing
to be sorry about.

I know you don't want to hear
this, but it's my obligation

to tell you that
you can appeal again...

- No!
- ...to the Supreme Court.

No! It's long past time
that we put an end to this.

I am not advising it,
I'm not advocating for it, Peter.

In fact, I'd probably
advise against it.

Monsanto has put a lien
on everything you own...

your house, your farm,
even your equipment.

If you lose an appeal to the Supreme
Court, it could bankrupt you.

I'm very sorry.

Hello.

Hi, Percy.

How's Louise?

Getting better.

Good, good.

So, have you, um...
have you given any thought

to your next move?

You're talking about appealing?

No. No. Actually, we, uh...
we don't think you should.

You think I'll lose.

Can you imagine Jackson

trying to keep up with
those million-dollar lawyers?

It's a court case,
not a foot race.

No, no, Percy. It's a...

It's a precedent-setting
Supreme Court case.

If Monsanto wins, it will solidify
their legal right to the patent.

What about
all the other farmers?

Percy, well, we said this
was for your family and, you know,

your family isn't doing so good
right now.

Now you care about my family.

Well, it's your decision.

But, uh,
if you decide to appeal,

I cannot offer you
our support.

That's fine.

I'm sorry, Percy.

Me too.

Percy, I'm...

Good luck getting home!

There you are.

I thought you were sleeping.

I've prayed
more than I've slept.

I can't do it anymore.

Not gonna put you
through this.

I'm done with all of it.

No Supreme Court?

No more appealing,
no nothing.

I'll sign what I gotta sign
and I'll sell what I gotta sell.

Well, I'm sorry,

that doesn't sit well with me.

What that company
has put you through,

it isn't right.

What that company is doing
to the other farmers,

it's wrong.

We'll lose everything.

Not everything.

So, Percy, it sounds like you've been pissing
people off on both sides of the fence here.

Um, I hope not.

- Are we ready?
- We're in.

All right, here we go.
Percy, welcome.

You've been accused of stealing
Monsanto's copyrighted material.

How do you respond to that?

What I did is the same thing
farmers have done since forever.

No, it's the government,
the courts,

they tell us
farmers' rights don't matter,

only the corporations matter.

Yes, but with all due respect,

why should people believe you
over Monsanto?

You know, to this day,
I do not know who it is I'm fighting.

There's no Joe Monsanto,
just a bunch of lawyers.

I mean, farmers know the land,
they know their plants.

Monsanto knows winning
and losing and profits,

and that's not good.

She was from British Columbia.

Eat up, Mary.
We're gonna be late.

He called up his dad,
he said, "Dad, come out here.

I want to show you
my new life."

So, his father flies out
from Saskatchewan

and they look out over the
mountains, the beautiful mountains.

He says, "Dad,
what do you think of that view?"

His father looks out
and he says,

"You know, it wouldn't be bad if it weren't
for all those mountains in the way."

I heard that one.

Percy!

That's Grandpa!

...the government, the courts,

they tell us
farmers' rights don't matter,

only the corporations matter.

Monsanto knows winning
and losing and profits,

and that's not good.

Right. Yet, despite intense
public interest,

the courts have not ruled
in your favor.

Are you worried
you'll lose your farm?

I'm sure they'd love that...

see me gone and set an example

in case some other farmer
wants to stand up.

That's why my wife
and I have decided...

we're going
to the Supreme Court.

Is... Wow. Is that something
your lawyers have advised?

I don't know.

I haven't told him yet.

Oh, my God.

It's my letter of resignation.

I have never been
to the Supreme Court before.

I mean, this is your family's
future we're talking about.

In fact, it's the future
of agriculture.

I mean, if you win,

no farmer could ever be sued
for saving his seeds again.

It is a very big deal.
We've lost the last two times,

and you need to find
a better lawyer.

Could I see that?

That's what I think.

We begin tonight
with a seismic legal shift

on a case that could one day
affect us all.

Percy Schmeiser and Monsanto

are taking their fight
to the Supreme Court of Canada.

A David and Goliath legal battle over the
ownership of genetically modified seeds...

Monsanto, the corporation
behind dozens of lawsuits...

...information and analysis

that we did of his crop,
he must have known.

Hello.

The canola farmer
is being sued

by a big multinational
corporation, Monsanto,

in a case where farmers around the
world are watching very closely.

I'll be right back.

The case is growing into
the biotech battlefield...

The federal court
judge who tried the case

said in his ruling,
none of the suggested...

Schmeiser claims
he does not know

how the plants
got onto his land.

...a multibillion-dollar,
globally operating

biotech agricultural giant
takes on a 76-year-old...

Two million people in
436 cities and 53 countries...

To protect the farmers who
signed a contract with Monsanto...

...protest focused on
genetically modified organisms.

...the arguments from
the Monsanto legal team...

Scientists predict the impact could
be in the billions of dollars.

We'll be right down.
Bye.

There you are.

Louise...

I know.

I love you, too.

Let's do this.

Okay.

Sir, give us room, please.

- Percy? Percy?
- Mr. Schmeiser, can you...

Percy, why have you
taken the case this far?

There's a lot of farmers around
the world who can't stand up.

I figure I should.
Excuse me.

Let them through, please.
Thank you.

Any comments?

We have no more
comment at this time.

We have no more comment
at this time.

Hey, Monsanto's here!

Mr. Aarons?

Just a comment?

One comment. Sir? Ma'am?

Wish you all the best.
You're in the big show now.

This is a rather simple case
of patent infringement.

The trial judge imposed

and the Federal Court of Appeal
confirmed

that there was
a knowing reproduction

of a patented gene and cell

by the commercial planting,
growing and selling

of a canola product
that contained

that patented gene and cell.

If Percy Schmeiser has any seeds

that contain the Monsanto gene,

they did not come
into his possession

through any patented process.

They came into his possession

in the way that seeds have been
cultivated by farmers for millennia...

through natural breeding.

Now, I believe
there is some sense

that unless
Mr. Schmeiser loses today,

unless there is
a victory for Monsanto,

then companies like Monsanto
will just

pull up their stakes
and go elsewhere.

Well, that is not an argument

that can hold any sway
in this case.

If there is no basis to hold
Mr. Schmeiser as an infringer,

if, in fact, their patent doesn't
cover this type of invention,

which is a living,
reproducing plant,

then I implore you...

let justice be done.

- Percy?
- Yeah.

Jackson called.

The Supreme Court is reading
their decision tomorrow.

- Mr. Schmeiser...
- Excuse me.

Mr. Schmeiser, what decision
are you expecting?

Excuse me.

Mr. Schmeiser...

Mr. Schmeiser,
was it worth it?

Percy, come on, two minutes
for the people at home!

Two minutes, Percy!

Jackson Weaver.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Go ahead.

Okay. Is that it?

Got it.

Well, come on, tell us.

Spit it out.

It's a split. Five to four.

But Percy, Louise,

the judges ruled that
you don't owe Monsanto anything.

Praise the Lord.

You get to keep all property,
the farm, everything.

It's a blessing.

There is one...
bit of bad news, though.

They... They did decide that by
growing seeds with their gene,

you did infringe
upon their patent.

So, you do have to give
Monsanto all of your seeds.

Oh, Percy.

Let's go home. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Weaver.
Thank you very, very much.

You're very welcome.
Thank you.

Yes!

The case has
set an international precedent

in the fight against GMOs.

Schmeiser has successfully
defended himself,

opening more doors for farmers to
challenge the company in court.

Mr. Schmeiser did not use
Monsanto's technology

by spraying his 1998 crop
with Monsanto's Roundup.

He's not required
to pay the company any damages.

Hey, Perce,
can I get your autograph?

No.

Schmeiser has successfully
defended himself,

opening more doors
for farmers...

...the same thing
my family's been doing

for hundreds of years.

Say, Al, it's too bad
we're missing the game.

Percy and Louise Schmeiser
are real people

and they've been manipulated and
pushed and pulled by all of us.

But hopefully that's over now

and they can get back to doing
what really matters to them.

Your granddaughter wants to be
a farmer just like her grandad.

How's that sit with you?

Better her than me.

We can start her
on the combine next year.

Louise.

I'm so sorry
about everything.

Here, I got this, Perce.

It's okay.
I'll do it. I'll do it.

I'm sorry it came to this.

I know how much
they mean to you.

That's the thing about seed.
You can always grow more.

Percy, look who
the cat brought in.

You were right.

They were looking for a case
to test their patent

and I handed it to them
on a plate.

No. No, Percy,
you stopped wheat.

What kinda BS
you talking about now?

I deserve that, I do.
But it's true.

Monsanto announced it
this morning.

We always knew that Europe
didn't want GMO wheat.

But now the Canadian farmers,
they heard your story

and they want nothing to do
with it, they won't grow it.

So, the Americans know that if
they grow it and you guys don't,

they can't sell their crops
internationally.

Isn't it wonderful, Percy?

Think of all the farmers who won't
have to go through what you did.

Good for them, not me.

Percy...
Percy, this is huge.

You turned the tide.

The farmers know
they can fight back now.

You should be really proud.

Bye, Louise.

Bye.

When I take over the farm,

this is all
gonna be strawberries

as far as the eye can see.

- You think?
- Yup.

Maybe then we can retire.