One Road to Quartzsite

This a very good documentary about the poor people and children who occupy Quartzite, Arizona's BLM camping areas.

Similar desert profiles have been done on Slab City, and the Salton Sea communities with similar demographic populations of retired and poor people.

"One Road to Quartzite", however, illustrates the plight of the itinerant poor kids who are dragged around by their parents. Its clear these kids suffer socially and academically, and have mental and physical health issues.

The kids featured have created a fantasy world that helps them cope with the itinerant lifestyle their parents have subjected them to.

I like that the director and creator gave the poor kids a platform for their filming and their unique cinematic vision. Hats off to you!

Its also nice that the director just let people talk free-form and allowed for silent interludes.

In summary, this is a very good and interesting documentary on the desert and the people who are barely making it day to day. Its interesting that while the personal stories demonstrate poverty and daily hardships, I didn't hear much complaining from the children or other residents of the camp.

Wow. What director Ryan Maxey was able to accomplish here is nothing short of miraculous. Quartzsite, AR is a town of 2400 people, in the middle of nowhere halfway between Phoenix and LA. Every year, over a million RVers and nomads flock there to escape the cold up north and the vicissitudes of life everywhere. The result of this unlikely confluence is an otherworldly community that reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie -- except for this is real.

This documentary, shot in observational style by someone who knows the community very well, is a delight to watch. Superb cinematography coupled with masterful storytelling bring the community to life, and what a community this is. From old folks driving their RVs and flying their model airplanes to meth addicts trying to find a way out, the people in this camp are authentic, eccentric and lovely in their own way. Distinctively American and universal at the same time. What a film!

It's one thing to choose to live that way if you are an adult and I can respect that. But to have children and force them to live without bathing, brushing teeth, etc. That is selfish and abusive. Those children have no idea how to take care of themselves and apparently no one cares enough to teach them. This documentary is raw, it is thought provoking, and I feel sorry for the animals and children there. If you don't have a heart before watching, hopefully you will have one after. To all of the adults out there with children, please put your children FIRST. They didn't ask to be here. Get over yourself and give your children a home. One can only hope the child that wrote and filmed this piece will continue to make films and be recognized for his talent.