Watch Urban Roots

Urban Roots is a 2011 documentary that explores the urban farming movement in Detroit, Michigan. Directed by Mark MacInnis, the film follows several community activists and gardeners as they work to transform the city’s abandoned lots into sustainable and productive urban farms. The film begins by contextualizing Detroit’s decline and the resulting “food desert,” where access to fresh and healthy food is limited for many residents. The film then introduces the work of several community organizations, such as Keep Growing Detroit and Earthworks Urban Farm, that are working to address this issue by creating urban farms and community gardens.

Through interviews and footage of the farms and gardens, the film showcases the positive impact these initiatives are having on the local community. Members of the community are shown working together to plant, tend, and harvest crops, and share the resulting produce with their neighbors.

The film also explores the challenges faced by urban farmers, such as navigating city bureaucracy, dealing with blight and pollution, and contending with the threat of gentrification. One particularly poignant moment features a long-time resident of a neighborhood that is being rapidly gentrified, who expresses her concern about losing the sense of community that has developed around the garden that has been a beloved part of her neighborhood for years.

In addition to documenting the successes and struggles of the urban farming movement, Urban Roots also delves into the philosophical implications of this work. Several interviewees speak to the idea that urban agriculture is not just about growing food but is a way to build community, reclaim abandoned space, and create a more sustainable and just city.

The film also touches on how the work being done in Detroit can serve as a model for other cities facing similar challenges. One interviewee notes that Detroit, as a city with an abundance of vacant land and a history of community organizing, is uniquely positioned to spearhead this movement. The film argues that the success of this movement can inspire other urban centers to prioritize access to healthy food and space for greenery.

Overall, Urban Roots is a compelling and inspiring portrait of a movement working to transform a city from the ground up. Through its focus on the people and organizations driving this work, the film offers a humanizing and uplifting perspective on a city that is too often only depicted through its struggles. It is a powerful call to action for anyone interested in creating a more equitable and sustainable society.

Urban Roots is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.