Taggart Siegel's documentary about a very special farmer, John Peterson, is quirky and entertaining from start to finish. He is also the one responsible for the lovely cinematography, with everything from ground level views of rows of beautiful vegetables to worm's eye views blown to full screen size. The film shifts between old home film, the Illinois farm of Mr. Peterson, and places in Mexico, and all are appealing to witness. The film was written and produced by Peterson himself, a handsome blond Scandinavian who looks the part of farmboy but seems just as comfortable behind the typewriter or in his studio. The collective creativity of these two is all it would take to make a memorable film, but added to the mix is music by Dirty Three, which helps to tie everything into the appropriate mood.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John is about The Farm Culture and its Legacy
John Peterson is quite a colorful character, whether he is seen is his denim overalls and appearing very much like a typical farming midwesterner, dressed as a bumble bee, or seen in a Dr. Seuss hat atop his tractor, plowing his fields. There are plenty of old film clips and stills to give the viewer some idea of the family that spawned this amazing man, and enough current footage to allow the viewer to witness a personal evolution. During the hippie era, John tried what he called his "Midwest Coast" experiment and turned the farm into a place of meditation and art. There were lots of "hormones and pheromones" much to the displeasure of neighboring farmers. As debt pushed in on John, he had to make tough decisions to save the farm.
The End of Individual Farming Families is Part of Siegel's Film, Too
Peterson's mother is a peppy, cheerful woman so full of life that she seems to go on forever, working in the local produce stand adjacent to the farm at age 83. She has been the source for the renewal of the farm and John's rock in pushing him to preserve the family farm and farming culture. Despite the suspicions of neighbors about John's unusual life, the Petersons persist in trying to survive on their land. And while traditional farmers were selling out and leaving the land, John stayed true to himself and found a way for his creativity and vision to help him survive. This is a unique view of a determined people with the heart of midwesterners and the creativity of the coastal set. Very, very good and lovely to watch.
- GAIAM Media
- Movie site
- 82 minutes
- ITS / Collective Eye
- PBS/Independent Lens
- 2006
- Angelic Oganics
Barbara DeGrande - Barbara DeGrande is a writer, film critic, and blogger, with years of experience as a program developer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in ...
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