One Earth Film Festival - A Small Good Thing
Following several people over a typical year, "A Small Good Thing" looks at the simple sources of human happiness.
Interview with Writer/Director Pamela Tanner Boll
Main photo: Cast members and owners of Woven Roots Farm Jen and Pete Salinetti travel to Rwanda over the course of their journey to volunteer at Gardens for Health, a non-profit dedicated to ending chronic childhood malnutrition by teaching villagers how to garden for food.
Why did you make your film?
A few years back, everyone I talked to had the same complaints: people were running so hard to keep up with the pressures of life that they felt overwhelmed, isolated, exhausted, and unhappy. Even though our country had more material wealth, people were depressed. Given the additional worries about the growing income disparities, climate change, and the vanishing natural world, the question of what makes a good life became important to me.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
You should watch this film because powerful stories about individuals transforming their lives help us to transform the world.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Our culture is more invested in comfort than in truth. Our planet is suffering from our consumer driven way of life. Although we have more connections through the internet and social networking, we as a society have become more isolated and lonely. We have more material wealth, but we are not happy.
These stories show individuals who are making small changes in their lives that have a big impact in the world. Jen and Pete Salinetti use only environmentally sustainable practices at Woven Roots Farm. Also, Sean Stanton feeds his livestock a natural diet…his cows are grass fed and his pigs and chickens are raised on pasture and eat all certified organic grain. Farms that use regenerative agricultural practices can turn back the carbon clock, reducing atmospheric CO2 while also boosting soil productivity and increasing resilience to floods and drought. Also, agronomists tell us now that you can produce more calories per acre on a small farm than a big one.
Studies show that mindful practices such as yoga and meditation relieve our stress: blood pressure goes down, heart rates drop, negative emotions decrease, and positive ones increase. Tim Durrin and Mark Gerow have overcome struggles in their lives by applying these mindful practices everyday. And in doing so, they have learned that by exposing their struggles to their community, they feel less isolated and more blessed.
And finally, Shirley Edgerton is guiding her young adults to live a life of purpose. She is teaching them at a young age, “that if you leave yourself open [and] that you move with the universe, that’s where your blessings come in.” This is how we can live in a more engaged way…a way that helps us to develop empathy and compassion.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
The film was verite and not scripted. We dropped into the lives of each of our characters and let them lead us through the story of how they changed their lives to feel more connected to each other and to the world.
The first edit of our film was flat because it was more about the three things you need for a good life: connection to self, connection to the natural world, connection to community. They were essay points.
But in the final edit, we showed more of our characters’ vulnerability. They have each gone through a painful struggle and through owning it and sharing, they have been able to more authentically connect with their deepest purpose and therefore their community.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Our audiences have related to our characters. It’s a surprise to them that they have connected to the stories in a deep way and are inspired to make small, good changes in their own lives. A good life is not about ease and comfort; our lives are richer and more satisfying when we face hardship and pain head on. That allows us to open our hearts, find our true paths, and connect more authentically with others.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
People think that they are going to see a film about an idyllic existence in a beautiful place…the Berkshires. Instead they find real people struggling with feeding their families, putting a roof over their heads, and dealing with everyday stress. Our characters are not running away from responsibilities or living life off the grid, but they are able to provide for their families and still hold onto their life’s purpose. Also, our film is rich with many stories and experts…people are surprised at how the film quietly weaves everything together into a powerful message.
Cast members Sean Stanton and Shirley Edgerton chat at the Great Barrington Farmers Market where Stanton, who runs Blue Hill Farms, is a vendor. Edgerton is the founder of Youth Alive, Pittsfield, Mass.’s only step dance and drumming performance group.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want people to know that regardless of one’s circumstances—being rich, being poor, living in the city, living in the suburbs—that our sense of wellbeing is in our hands and the film shows us how to achieve this.
Who do you need to come on board to amplify this film’s message?
Our film is currently distributed by Kino Lorber (through Alive Mind Cinema) and is available through our website at www.asmallgoodthingfilm.com. We offer community screening as well as educational licenses. And it is available digitally through Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and Netflix. We have shown the film through film festivals and would love to continue to do that. We are also always available to speak with journalists and bloggers. Our dvds will be released in March 2017.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I think people think more money is going to solve all their problems. I want our audience to be inspired by our film and see that there are other paths to living a good life.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What does it take to live a good life?
What are they key creatives developing or working on now?
After making two films (Who Does She Think She Is? and A Small Good Thing) as well as executive producing a number of films through Mystic Artists(www.mysticartists.com), I have been inspired by the courage it takes to be able to tell the truth about one’s own journey and the power to change the world with these inspirational stories. I am exploring the struggles with finding my own best self and becoming a teller of authentic stories.
Interview: March 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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A Small Good Thing
Following several people over a typical year, "A Small Good Thing" looks at the simple sources of human happiness.
Length: 1hr, 11min
Director:
Pamela Tanner Boll
Producer:
Paula Kirk
Writer:
Pamela Tanner Boll & Nancy Kennedy
About the writer, director and producer:
Pamela Tanner Boll (director & writer):
Pamela Tanner Boll is an artist, filmmaker, and activist. She is the Co-Executive Producer of Oscar-winning Born into Brothels, and the Executive Producer of nine documentaries.
Paula Kirk (producer):
Paula Kirk is the Producer of A Small Good Thing and has collaborated with Director Pamela Tanner Boll on various projects for more than 18 years.
Key cast:
Sean Stanton, Shirley Edgerton, Jen and Peter Salinetti, Mark Gerow, and Tim Durrin
Looking for:
Film festival directors, journalists
Funders:
Mystic Artists Films Productions
Made in association with: Mystic Artists Films Productions
Where can I see it in the next month?
Please visit www.asmallgoodthingfilm.com/screenings to see when A Small Good Thing is coming to your town!