This Way of Life

This film is beautifully shot and edited. One very quickly falls into the story , into the landscape of this powerful and idealistic narrative .If you like Horses and seeing the joy of children learning to ride and find their freedom, if you like the idea of living close to nature with honesty and passion and gentleness. If you like thoughtful cinematography and intimate stories well revealed, then This way of Life will satisfy you and open your heart, The screening I attended was to a full house which erupted in a well deserved standing ovation at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto, Inspiring, compassionate, engrossing, uplifting! A must see!!

Our family just finished watching This Way of Life on Knowledge Network, and all I can say is not a word was spoken through the whole program. I was amazed at this family's strength, love and grace. I must admit I had tears streaming down my face many times, my husband wiped at his eyes a few times as well. What struck me so hard was Peter at times almost speaking lovingly of this man who was never a father to him. How horrible for the father to live with such anger, hate and resentment. It also made me wonder where his mother was through all this. Colleen was beautiful, caring and sensitive and a wonderful mother. Thank you for bringing this to us. It's a film our family will never forget.

I thought this film was entertaining from start to finish, the family in this doco were each and everyone intriguing, beguiling and unaffected by the rat race. Having had some of the same experiences as a child as the children in this film, I totally relate to galloping about on one of our beautiful noble horses without a care in the world. Watching my dad train wild horses and catch and kill animals for our dinner was also something I can relate to but what was new to me was the incredible lengths this family would go to to keep living this life out of the rat race - and then when their home is burnt down in a malicious attack they experience homelessness, unemployment all the while expecting a new baby. It is amazing how you couldn't make this stuff up, its reality at its best and worst. This film shows no matter how the world falls down around you, having a healthy respect and reverence for nature gives you and your children a better chance to survive and evolve into healthier,wiser, clever-er and fun -er people.

This small, unexpected New Zealand film is simply mesmerizing and an unconditional must-see. No, really. This Way of Life is a documentary tracking the Karena family through a story that is so remarkable, you couldn't make it up. Two parents and six children live happily in relative poverty, making ends meet by working on the land, farming pigs and riding wild horses, and living a truly wholesome "good" life. Their life is simple, and beautiful for it. But as with real life, there is drama along the way, and some of it must have seemed a Godsend to the film-makers, who can't possibly have anticipated what transpired. The interviews are heartfelt and touching, and you cannot help but leave the cinema with a new perspective on life. Highly recommended.

Watching this was like being there. The method used to film and document the life of the Karena family was perfect for enabling viewers to truly connect on a personal level with the entire family, circumstances and location. As the story progressed I became emotionally bonded with Peter and Collen and their children, in such a way, I wanted to meet them, support them, praise them for being who they are and for fighting for their way of life. When the film ended, it didn't end for me... I cried the whole way home, and since ... the lives of the Karena family have stayed with me. No other documentary or film has ever had this kind of impact on me. I commend all those involved with the making of "This Way of Life".