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The Biggest Little Farm (2018) documentary poster

Documentary Style

Narrative

The Biggest Little Farm

Why Watch

Breathtaking cinematography captures nature's power to heal itself through biodiversity. An eight-year journey from barren wasteland to thriving ecosystem that inspires hope.

Year

2018

Type

film

Runtime

91 min

Language

English

Director

John Chester

Genres

NatureEnvironmentBusiness

Summary

What happens when a filmmaker and a chef with zero farming experience buy 214 acres of barren, drought-stricken land and promise to transform it into a thriving ecosystem?

Over eight years, John and Molly Chester document their journey from wasteland to wonder at Apricot Lane Farms. Coyotes slaughter chickens. Snails ravage crops. California's worst drought in 1,200 years threatens everything. Through trial and error, they discover biodiversity creates balance. The cinematography captures both intimate moments and sweeping transformations as 10,000 trees, 200 crops, and countless animals turn brown earth green.

A visually stunning meditation on working with nature that inspires while acknowledging the privilege and resources that enabled this agricultural experiment.