Filmmaker Beverly Seckinger, who spent 10 years documenting a back-to-the-land movement in New Mexico, lets members speak for themselves in her respectful, judgment-free documentary. The idealists who founded the "ranch" in the 1970s aimed to create a society built around consensus decision-making and stewardship of the land. They also sought enlightenment through LSD and other drugs (marijuana still appears to be in use). When Seckinger started filming, around 20 people lived there year-round. Kate, a potter, saw the ranch as a refuge from the nuclear family. With the help of other members, she built the house she lives in today. Now, she's a mother and grandmother who raised her kids as part of a village. Her daughter, Dulcie, loved being in that world. When Dulcie’s divorced father—who was never part of the community—sued for custody, Kate found a way to defy the order. Although Dulcie did leave for college, she returned to build a home of her own. Other members, like Don and Bjorn, are more cynical, because they miss the days when everyone ate together in the dining hall. They also express concern that the community will die out if it fails to attract younger members. And when Seckinger catches up with Dulcie eight years later, she's become a little cynical, as well, to the extent that she and her husband are planning to leave. While their values remain the same, job prospects in the area have them feeling hemmed-in both financially and creatively. As the film draws to a close, the future of the ranch is uncertain, but the impact it has made on its members and their extended families is immeasurable. An interesting exploration of an alternative social group, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
Hippie Family Values
(2017) 64 min. DVD: $75: high schools & public libraries; $299: colleges & universities. DRA. New Day Films. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-57448-449-6. Volume 33, Issue 4
Hippie Family Values
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