Watch The Garden

The Garden is a moving documentary that explores the complex and often contentious relationship between urban development, community activism, and environmental sustainability. Directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, the film tells the story of a group of community gardeners in South Central Los Angeles who are fighting to save their beloved green space from being sold to developers.

The central character of the film is Larisa, a Ukrainian immigrant and the driving force behind the South Central Farmers, a group of mostly Latino and immigrant gardeners who have been working the land for over a decade. When the city of Los Angeles decides to sell the 14-acre plot of land on which the gardens sit, the community is thrown into turmoil. The gardeners--many of whom rely on the space to grow healthy and affordable food for their families--are determined to fight the sale and save their garden.

The Garden takes us deep into the heart of this struggle, as we watch the gardeners organize and mobilize, negotiate with city officials, and push back against powerful developers. Along the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters, including a wise-cracking farmer named Tezozomoc, who offers practical gardening advice and philosophical musings on life, love, and the land.

Through it all, the film asks important questions about the role of urban space in our lives, and what happens when development interests clash with the needs and desires of local communities. We see the impact of poverty, inequality, and political corruption, as well as the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

What sets The Garden apart from other documentaries is its unflinching honesty and raw emotion. We see the gardeners at their most vulnerable and passionate, as they struggle to make their voices heard and fight for what they believe in. We witness the pain of loss and the joy of victory, as well as the messy and complex reality of community activism.

At its core, The Garden is a powerful and inspiring story about the human capacity for hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. It's a film that will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the importance of green spaces in our cities, and a sense of awe and admiration for those who fight to protect them.

Overall, The Garden is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in issues of urban development, community activism, and environmental sustainability. It's a film that will challenge your assumptions and touch your heart, and leave you feeling empowered to make a difference in your own community.

The Garden is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes.