Has anyone seen this? I have just seen it for the first time. It may be a new fave of mine. I would love to hear the opinions of others on this board as we come from a wide background across the world. It is currently available to view on Netflix (in Oz).
A family living in the mountains treks across America to attend the funeral of their mother. It opens with the eldest boy accepting manhood and finishes with him entering the world of his choice.
A comical juxtaposition on alternative lifestyle and the American norm. The joy and openness of the family is beautiful. The children prove the benefits of self paced and exploratory learning, and the pitfalls of trying to function like a true human in modern society. Some parts are obviously for comedy, others deeply meaningful. It is designed in a push/pull way, the audience encouraged to see both sides of the story. A father in grief, training his children and making decisions in a world not consistent with his (or his wives) ideal. Some of the children see the anti-establishment lifestyle as the cause of their mothers death, while to others, it is obvious the trauma of modern society is what pushed her over the edge once she did discover the pure joy in the truth of life.
The drama intensifies when one of the children falls from a roof. An event that would not have happened in nature. A modern family home is deceptive, and crumbles under pressure, putting those who depend on it in mortal danger. The father acknowledges the dangers of living an extreme lifestyle in a world of convenience, giving the choice to the children. It ends in quiet compromise, all aware of the risks and potential benefits of continued life in these hectic times.
As a viewer with some similar experiences the movie appeals to me. Defined by actions and not words is extremely important to me as a person with mixed communicative ability. I can not put the things I know into words, I spent years working with children who were trapped in a similar way. I have a serious pull to a simpler life away from the hustle and bustle of consumerism. I adore the non verbal aspects of communication used that are lost in polite society. Unfortunately the mentally ill label sticks, and I was not allowed to completely cut free of societies control. Its unlikely I ever will. Australian open land is deeply damaged by those who wish to tame the environment to cater for northern hemisphere norms. Shaving my head a similar sign of morning for the life all humans have lost. The utopian family life in the wilderness is my ideal, hence the instant appeal of this movie for me. I live not far from people who do practice this way of life, but have witnessed many trapped once modern medicine has detected them and poisoned their minds with labels and meds. I'd love to read more about the adventures of this (or similar) families before society stamped the strength out of them.
It deeply concerns me that this world is continually shaped by the way America leads, a country shaped on crude misinterpretation of Christianity and moral control. They've swapped one god out for many, worshiping brands and movie stars as the ultimate high. It is difficult to find people who are not blinded by the bright lights of Hollywood. Some here seem to get it some days, but other times get lost in the hype. I do too. How can we use our choices to improve the outcome of our communities? How do we balance our love for stories with a love of true life (which Hollywood can never truly represent)?
A family living in the mountains treks across America to attend the funeral of their mother. It opens with the eldest boy accepting manhood and finishes with him entering the world of his choice.
A comical juxtaposition on alternative lifestyle and the American norm. The joy and openness of the family is beautiful. The children prove the benefits of self paced and exploratory learning, and the pitfalls of trying to function like a true human in modern society. Some parts are obviously for comedy, others deeply meaningful. It is designed in a push/pull way, the audience encouraged to see both sides of the story. A father in grief, training his children and making decisions in a world not consistent with his (or his wives) ideal. Some of the children see the anti-establishment lifestyle as the cause of their mothers death, while to others, it is obvious the trauma of modern society is what pushed her over the edge once she did discover the pure joy in the truth of life.
The drama intensifies when one of the children falls from a roof. An event that would not have happened in nature. A modern family home is deceptive, and crumbles under pressure, putting those who depend on it in mortal danger. The father acknowledges the dangers of living an extreme lifestyle in a world of convenience, giving the choice to the children. It ends in quiet compromise, all aware of the risks and potential benefits of continued life in these hectic times.
As a viewer with some similar experiences the movie appeals to me. Defined by actions and not words is extremely important to me as a person with mixed communicative ability. I can not put the things I know into words, I spent years working with children who were trapped in a similar way. I have a serious pull to a simpler life away from the hustle and bustle of consumerism. I adore the non verbal aspects of communication used that are lost in polite society. Unfortunately the mentally ill label sticks, and I was not allowed to completely cut free of societies control. Its unlikely I ever will. Australian open land is deeply damaged by those who wish to tame the environment to cater for northern hemisphere norms. Shaving my head a similar sign of morning for the life all humans have lost. The utopian family life in the wilderness is my ideal, hence the instant appeal of this movie for me. I live not far from people who do practice this way of life, but have witnessed many trapped once modern medicine has detected them and poisoned their minds with labels and meds. I'd love to read more about the adventures of this (or similar) families before society stamped the strength out of them.
It deeply concerns me that this world is continually shaped by the way America leads, a country shaped on crude misinterpretation of Christianity and moral control. They've swapped one god out for many, worshiping brands and movie stars as the ultimate high. It is difficult to find people who are not blinded by the bright lights of Hollywood. Some here seem to get it some days, but other times get lost in the hype. I do too. How can we use our choices to improve the outcome of our communities? How do we balance our love for stories with a love of true life (which Hollywood can never truly represent)?