Courtesy of Sundance Institute
John Chester charts the ups and downs of starting a farm over eight years.
Festival Section:
Spotlight
Sundance Program Description:
Since its debut at the 2018 Telluride Film Festival, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM has charmed audiences and critics alike with its chronicle of one couple’s trial-and-error attempts to build a farm in harmony with nature.
It all began with a dog named Todd. Filmmaker John Chester and his wife, Molly, a private chef, promised their rescue dog a happy life, but their Los Angeles apartment just isn’t cutting it. So the couple decides to take a leap of faith and realize a long-held dream. Locating a patch of land outside the city – and a veteran farmer to shepherd them through the process – they set about building Apricot Lane Farms. As the couple faces a seemingly endless cascade of challenges from weather, predators, infestations, and disease, John documents their setbacks – and progress – over eight years.
Beautifully filmed to capture the impressive scale of the undertaking and featuring unforgettable characters of both the two- and four-legged variety, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM is an inspiring ode to uncompromising idealism and a graceful reminder of the magnificence and resilience of the natural world.
Some Background:
Director/Screenwriter/Producer:
Chester is an Emmy-winning television director and showrunner. This is his fourth feature documentary.
Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
GENERATION WEALTH (2018)
THE DEBUTANTE HUNTERS (2012, short)
Keats has previously produced projects for Participant Media and Oscar winner Jessica Yu.
Executive Producers:
Past Sundance docs:
306 HOLLYWOOD (2018)
AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER (2017)
FED UP (2014)
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH (2006)
David is an environmental activist, author, and producer.
Messer has an extensive background as a television writer/producer/showrunner, most notably for the series CRIMINAL MINDS.
Screenwriter:
Recent past Sundance docs:
THE DEVIL WE KNOW (2018)
THE GAME CHANGERS (2018)
ICARUS (2017)
Monroe is one of the most in demand writers in the documentary space.
Editor:
Overbeck edited Chester’s previous films. This marks her first Sundance credit.
Why You Should Watch:
As noted in my program description above, Chester has created an infectiously charming portrait full of unexpected developments, daunting challenges, and surprising solutions. Audiences outside of the festival will have a chance to watch the film in theatres via NEON beginning April 5.
More Info:
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For Sundance screening dates and times, click the film title in the first paragraph.
