Common Ground

Unlike your average documentary, Common Ground transcends traditional storytelling to deliver a powerful call to action. It isn't merely an exploration of regenerative agriculture, but a compelling narrative that urges viewers to reconsider their impact on the planet, and their role in shaping a sustainable future. Directors Josh and Rebecca Tickell transcend this movement by starting and closing the film as a letter to future generations. It foreshadows both what could happen if we as a society don't start heading in the direction of regenerative agriculture, vs if we do. This contrast really adds tension to the film and emotion to the viewer, prompting them to think critically about the future of the earth and their role in this issue. By doing this, it creates a direct connection between the viewers and the subject matter. As the documentary unfolds it provides a thorough explanation of regenerative agriculture by using farmers like Gabe Brown and Rick Clarke who have been using regenerative farming techniques. They introduce us to all the pros of regenerative farming along with the struggles they have faced to get to where they are. Whether you are an advocate for environmental change or new to the concept of regenerative farming, Common Ground is a compelling call to embrace a groundbreaking path forward.

This film can be described as a celebration of humanity, showing the viewer not only what it means to be human, but what it means to be on Earth. The documentary Common Ground directed by Joshua and Rebecca Tickell, effortlessly shows the results of regenerative agriculture's benefit on humanity. Using personal testimonials from farmers, politicians, and scientists, the film showcases real solutions anyone can take to improve the health of the soil, thus improving their health and the planet's. With notable celebrities like Donald Glover, Jason Moma, Laura Dern, and more, the film simply explains the sins behind modern agriculture and what we can do to fix it. This film provides a much-needed glass of hope and clarity, in the midst of troubling times and is a must-watch that will show us how we can all stand on Common Ground. (POSTED ON IMDb)

This is a letter. A letter that serves as a warning for the future generation. For our world. This is how the documentary Common Ground chose to start the journey with the audience. Starting off with a somber tone that many documentaries follow while discussing environmental health. But where Common Ground branches off is how by the end, the audience is left teary eyed and full of hope that it is never too late to start making a better future. And that letter then serves as a promise that we will never give up. Common Ground stands as its own piece of art that delivers a clear environmental message and how we can change the world. Just from using soil.

The directors Joshua and Rebecca Tickell dives into one of the most powerful tools that can heal the world's and human health which is regenerative agriculture. This is the process of reshaping the ecosystem so it can be used to produce benefits for humans while aiding the world's health like reducing carbon from the atmosphere and bringing animals back to an ecosystem. We experience the power of regenerative agriculture as the documentary takes the audience across America to meet insightful experts on the subject. In North Dakota, regenerative rancher Gabe Brown compares his luscious farmland full of animals chirping to his neighbor's land that has turned into a gray block from modern agricultural practice. Up north in upstate New York, regenerative rancher Leah Penniman brought life back to an ecosystem that was deemed to have the worst soil health in the area through regenerative practices. Far west in California, Founder of Ecdysis Foundation Jonathan Lundgren teaches the truth of regenerative agriculture from the lies that he was taught from the agrochemical companies control of the agriculture education system. All of these narrative elements are guided by the stellar narration of Laura Dern, Rosario Dawson, Ian Somerhalder, Donald Glover, and Jason Momoa.

It's not just Tickell's directing skills that shine in the documentary. The production gets to show their love for the cinema arts through their own work. Zianna Milito's detailed animation provides visuals for Tickell's writing to make the different insights of regenerative agriculture more understandable. With some animation moments, it feels as if we are part of the explanation as the camera travels through interweaving roots and flowing with the carbon dioxide which has the audience stay engaged with the explanation. As stated before, the documentary travels in the U. S. as the main setting. This containment doesn't just allow the audience to follow the documentary's story, but also show them how close these individuals are to each other. It gives a comforting and hopefully feeling that these like minded individuals are not scarce throughout the world. It feels that the documentary sways regenerative agriculture as a collaborative effort with anyone can engage with the practice and heal the world. And this is the biggest accomplishment of the documentary: encouragement. At the end, the letter at the beginning ends with a hopeful promise that we won't quit in healing the world. This statement can spark hope within us and aid in the battle for a better world.

Common Ground chose to do what many documentaries could not: bring hope. Through the content and filmmaking, the documentary is a great watch for any person, and I hope they found hope as I did for the environment.

Important message to everyone that our food choices and how it is produced affects soils. Saving our soil will save us from environmental disaster. We can all do our part in advocating regenerative agriculture. Registered for Amazon prime just to watch is highly important documentary. Hopefully their message can be spread to as many people as possible. Change is possible and we all have our part to play. This documentary is story telling at it's best, making the complicated easy to understand. Complexity of farming made simple, if I were a conventional farmer I would transition to regenerative agriculture!

Everyone is connected to not only each other, but also to the Earth. However, we are living in a society that is so incredibly divided that we forget this simple fact. Despite all of our differences, we all share a common ground, the soil in which we live upon. It's from the soil that we are sustained. Common Ground by Joshua and Rebecca Tickell, dives into the fact that soil is what is keeping the environment stable. Given that most of our food is grown in the soil, unhealthy soil means unhealthy food. Our health is directly tied to what we consume, and as mentioned in the film, food is quite literally medicine. Regenerative practices will be the legacy that we leave behind so that future generations can thrive. With a packed cast of actors who are passionate about the film's message, such as Ian Somerhalder, Common Ground is a catalyst for change in the agricultural world.