Documentary Shows the End of America’s Largest Community Garden
By Vanessa Richins
The 14 acre garden in South Central Los Angeles, California, started as a way to repair the damage done by the LA Riots in 1992.
The end came due to problems such as government corruption.
Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s documentary film, “The Garden”, tells the story of the largest community garden in America.
The film chronicles how the garden came to be a source of hope and healing after troubling times. Lower income residents were able to feed their families healthier food and work with their neighbors.
The troubles began when the farmers found an eviction letter at the garden. They had not been told that the government land was on a renewable 30 day lease. The land was sold to the man who had originally owned it.
The director explains why he made the documentary:
“There are so many reasons I was inspired to pick up my camera and follow this story. The first time I stepped onto the garden at 41st and Alameda, the city of Los Angeles
seemed to vanish. Surrounded by varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs, the smell, the air was different immediately. And the people: warm, humble, generous in spirit and with the bounty of their plots. But there was another characteristic to the farmers that is essential to this story.”
Spread the word. I am going to work on doing that myself in the near future. Contact Black Valley Films to see if you can arrange a screening where you live. You can also get on their mailing list to learn about any screenings, film festivals, and so on.
