5000 Days Project: Two Brothers

Watch 5000 Days Project: Two Brothers

  • 2011

5000 Days Project: Two Brothers from BYUtv follows the lives of Adam and Jared Raguse, two brothers who have committed to capturing every day of their lives for nearly 14 years. The concept of the show is simple: we get to see the brothers' lives in 5000 daily snapshots taken by the same camera. The brothers are from Minnesota, and we witness their lives as they go from college to careers, from single to married, and from no kids to kids.

Produced by BYUTV, a US-based network owned by Brigham Young University, the show began airing in February 2019. The 5000-day project, which the Raguse brothers began in 2005, is at the center of the show. In those early days, they set a goal of taking a single photo every day for five thousand days, no matter what. They have kept to that promise, and now the result is a fascinating show that shows their lives in glimpses.

Each episode of the show covers a single day, with each day being displayed in one image. We get to see Adam and Jared's lives as they progress from day one to the present day. For example, in one episode, we see Adam and Jared living in a small apartment in Utah during their college years. In another episode, we see the brothers travel abroad with their wives and kids as they explore an exotic location like Costa Rica or Thailand.

The show provides an intimate look at the lives of two brothers living their lives in this way. The Raguse brothers are, after all, not your typical reality show cast members. They are not trying to become famous, nor are they seeking out any drama in their lives. The 5000-day project they started was out of a desire to document their days and have something meaningful to look back on in their old age.

This has made for a show that is calm and serene, with a subdued tension that arises from the quotidian nature of the brothers' lives. There are no over-the-top moments or tear-filled confessions. Instead, the show is a meditation on the importance of being present and appreciating the small moments in life.

The show also touches on themes such as family, friendship, and growth. As we see the brothers' lives unfold, we witness the ups and downs, the highs and the lows. In one episode, we see Jared and his wife struggle with infertility, and in another, we see Adam and his family go through a medical scare. The show is exceptional in its ability to make us care about these characters and their experiences.

Adam and Jared's commitment to the project is impressive. They have had to be proactive in ensuring they don't miss a day. The brothers take their camera with them everywhere, and they have made it a daily habit to take a photograph, usually of something that happened that day. Over the course of the show, we see them overcome personal obstacles and push themselves to keep the project going. It's a testament to the power of persistence and dedication.

The show's look is mostly composed of still photography, with a few interviews and voice-overs thrown in for context. It's an excellent technique, as we get to focus on the image and let it tell the story. The episodes are short, around three minutes each, which makes for easy viewing. The episodes' brevity also accentuates the show's meditative quality, making for a calming and enjoyable experience.

Overall, 5000 Days Project: Two Brothers is an excellent show that is worth watching. It's a simple idea, but it's executed well, and it makes for compelling viewing. The show's introspective nature, along with the brothers' commitment to their goal, makes for an emotionally impactful experience. Watching it makes you appreciate the beauty in the small moments of life and the power of setting a goal and committing to it.