Watch Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment

Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment is a documentary film that explores the Kibbutz movement in Israel. The film, which was released in 2010, examines the history of the Kibbutz movement and how it has evolved over time, as well as its impact on Israeli society and culture. The Kibbutz movement was established in Israel in the early 20th century, as a way for Jewish immigrants to build a new society in the land of Israel. Kibbutzim (plural of Kibbutz) were self-sustaining communities where people worked together on farms and shared everything from meals to childcare. The Kibbutz movement was based on socialist ideals, with the belief that everyone should contribute to the community and share equally in its benefits.

Inventing Our Life looks at the Kibbutz movement from a variety of angles. The film features interviews with people who grew up in Kibbutzim, as well as with historians and scholars who have studied the movement. It also includes archival footage and photographs from the early days of the Kibbutz movement, providing a fascinating look at what life was like in these communities.

One of the main themes of Inventing Our Life is the tension between the idealism of the Kibbutz movement and the reality of life on a Kibbutz. While the Kibbutzim were founded with lofty ideals about communal living and equality, the film shows how these ideals were often difficult to achieve in practice. For example, the film explores the challenges of reconciling individual needs with the needs of the community, and the tensions that arose when people felt they were not being valued or recognized for their contributions.

Inventing Our Life also highlights the role of the Kibbutz movement in shaping Israeli society and culture. The film shows how the Kibbutzim were at the forefront of the Zionist movement and played a critical role in establishing the state of Israel. It also explores how the Kibbutz movement influenced Israeli culture, from literature to music to art.

One of the most poignant moments in the film is when former Kibbutz members reflect on the decline of the movement over the past few decades. As Israel has become more capitalist and individualistic, the Kibbutzim have struggled to maintain their communal ideals. Inventing Our Life shows how many Kibbutzim have had to adapt to changing times, by privatizing some aspects of their economy and loosening their strict communal structures.

Despite these challenges, Inventing Our Life is ultimately an uplifting film that celebrates the spirit of the Kibbutz movement. The film shows how the Kibbutzim created a unique and inspiring model of community living, and how this model has influenced generations of Israelis. The film also highlights the many ways in which the Kibbutz movement has contributed to Israeli society, from education to agriculture to social justice.

Overall, Inventing Our Life is a powerful and thought-provoking film that provides a fascinating window into the history and legacy of the Kibbutz movement. Whether you are interested in Israeli history, the sociology of communal living, or simply in the human experience of trying to create a better world, this film is definitely worth watching.

Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 67.