Before we jump back to our regular homestead happening entries there’s a few announcements.   First, a list film screenings of the documentary HOMEGROWN by Robert McFalls

deadCenter Film Festival
Oklahoma City, OK
Sat, Jun 13, 01:00PM
Kerr Auditorium

Indianapolis International Film Festival
July 15-25
Exact Screening date TBD

Woods Hole Film Festival
Woods Hole, Maine
July 25-August 1
Exact Screening date TBD

Rhode Island International Film Festival
August 4-9
Exact Screening date TBD

HomeGrown The Film by Robert Mcfalls

HOMEGROWN follows the Dervaes family who run a small organic farm in the heart of urban Pasadena, California. While “living off the grid”, they harvest over 6,000 pounds of produce on less than a quarter of an acre, make their own bio diesel, power their computers with the help of solar panels, and maintain a website that gets 4,000 hits a day. The film is an intimate human portrait of what it’s like to live like “Little House on the Prairie” in the 21st Century.

Director’s Statement

Many people are becoming aware of the environment. We may have gone to see “An Inconvenient Truth”, changed our light bulbs, or started to recycle more. But how many of us are really walking the walk? I know I’m not.

When I heard about the Dervaes family, I sensed that there was a human story behind the headlines about global warming or buying organic produce. I wanted to find out what it takes to live the life of an environmental pioneer. I don’t wish to simply glorify or romanticize their way of life, however. I want to show that along with the positive benefits there are also sacrifices. Truly living by your ideals can have costs. I believe that recognizing the hardships the Dervaes have faced makes their work all the more inspiring.

HOMEGROWN is ultimately a family story. It’s about what lead them to where they are today, what changed them and what keeps them together. Perhaps by learning of their journey to a sustainable life style, we might be inspired to take our own first steps.

— Robert McFalls