Watch Commune

Commune is a poignant documentary that was released in 2005. It traces the history of Black Bear Ranch, a commune that was established by a group of young idealistic activists in Northern California in the late 1960s. The film explores the commune’s values, rituals and beliefs through the voices of those who were a part of it.

The film is directed by Jonathan Berman and narrated by Peter Coyote. The footage used in the documentary is a mix of archival material from the 1960s and 1970s, and contemporary interviews with the former members of the commune.

The film begins by introducing us to some of the key members of the commune. We meet Mahaj Seeger, one of the co-founders of the commune. She describes how she dropped out of college and moved to San Francisco in the mid-1960s, where she got involved in the counterculture movement. She eventually met her husband, Cedar Seeger, and the two of them, along with a few other friends, decided to establish a commune that was based on their shared values of ecology, spirituality, and communal living.

The documentary then takes us back to the era of the 1960s when the counterculture movement was at its peak. The Vietnam War was raging, and young people all over the country were protesting against it. The civil rights movement was also gaining momentum, and women were demanding equal rights. Amidst this turmoil, the members of Black Bear Ranch established their commune in the wilderness of Northern California.

The film shows us how the members of the commune lived off the land, grew their own food, and built their own houses. They also held regular meetings where they discussed their beliefs and values. The commune was also a place for creative expression, and members played music, made art and wrote poetry.

The documentary then takes us through some of the challenges that the members of the commune faced. The harsh winters in the wilderness made it challenging to grow food, and some members had to leave the commune because of the difficult living conditions. The commune also faced legal challenges and was raided by the FBI in the early 1970s.

However, despite these challenges, the members of the commune were committed to their values, and the documentary shows us how they continued to live their lives in this unique community. The members of the commune also had to deal with internal conflicts, but they worked through them and remained committed to their vision of building a better world.

The film also explores the legacy of the commune. The members of Black Bear Ranch were part of a broader counterculture movement that challenged the status quo and paved the way for social change. The commune served as a model for other communes that were established in the 1960s and 1970s.

Overall, Commune is a compelling documentary that provides a fascinating insight into the counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s. The film's mix of archival footage and contemporary interviews is effective in bringing to life the experiences of the members of the commune. It provides an intimate and personal look at this unique community, and the challenges and triumphs that they experienced. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of the counterculture movement, communal living, or social change.

Commune is a 2005 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 74.