Within Reach

You must see this. Within Reach moved me to tears, and action. I saw the premiere while staying at an ecovillage in Northeast Missouri, and it gave my life a whole new purpose. Community, sustainability, and a new positive outlook on the future.

You do not have to be into bicycling, or gardening, or community to enjoy this movie, but you may be inspired once you watch it. The journey by Mandy and Ryan is long and hard, but they meet some really incredible people and places along the way. They say a quest has 5 elements: a person(s), a place to go, a reason to leave, challenges and problems along the way, and the real reason and/or lesson learned. This movie has such an epic quest, that it will reach right down into your heart.

Is a better life really possible in this day and age? You'll be surprised to learn that it is "Within Reach".

Within Reach is a marvelous tale of self-discovery that unfolds during a young couple's journey to discover how they might live more sustainably in today's throwaway, consumerist world. Filled with adventure, struggle and hope, it shines a light on what's possible when people feel determined and commit themselves to change. Through the eyes of these two young explorers, the film transports the viewer into a variety of small communities across the United States, where people are choosing to live beyond nuclear family bonds and share resources in novel ways. Cohousing, organic gardening, permaculture, communal living, and green building are all investigated. In depth interviews with various community members, accompanied by narrative from the film's two principals, offer insight into what it feels like to both desire alternative living options, and to find them. Highly recommended for those interested in transforming their own lives and local communities.

The most inspiring and hope-inducing movie I saw in years. This is a must see movie for everyone who wants to live in a more social way. Within Reach doesn't only show which kind of options are out there (from co-ops to cohousing to ecovillages and other kinds of intentional or collaborative communities) but also that living in this way is far more sustainable for yourself, your community and the future in general. With studies showing 25 to 40% of the public being interested in living more communally and willing to share resources and space (without giving up their private space) this movie should become a massive hit :-)

Quirky and fun, "Within Reach" is definitely worth adding to your "green film series", or, in the spirit of the movie, at least seeing the film with friends.

I love green and sustainable films of all kinds, and this one opened my eyes to a surprising variety of sustainable communities, which the adorable couple explores on a bike-pack trip across America. Watching the adventure unfold, free from sugar-coating, is part of the fun.

This film nicely points out that it's not just the destination, but the journey that matters as well. I give it a high score for bringing new information to my attention, on a subject that's not been covered much, in a way that is positive and uplifting.

Worth adding to your short list of green and sustainable movies.