Waubonsee Community College

Fridays at the farm, written, photographed, edited by Richard Power Hoffmann

eng

videorecording

Fridays at the farm

904564001

written, photographed, edited by Richard Power Hoffmann

66

Feeling disconnected from their food, a filmmaker and his family decide to join a community supported organic farm in suburban Philadelphia. Using a digital still camera, the filmmaker takes nearly 20,000 pictures of vegetables and herbs, insect life, and human activity on the farm. When the farm loses its intern due to budget cuts, he moves from passive observer to active participant in the planting and harvesting of vegetables and discovers the joy of working with the earth. Along the way, he notes his three-year old son's increased interest in the growing process and marvels about the baby girl gestating inside his wife's body. The farm emerges as more than a place to get fresh local food- it is a haven where members meet and share in the pitfalls and bounty of life. Technically, the entire film is animated using still photos. Humans appear static, while plants are in constant motion. The reversed roles create a unique staccato feel to the piece, and the lush time-lapse and macro photography befits the sweet tone. The film offers an intimate visual and aural diary of his personal experience as a member of a community farm

adult

live action