Despite what our esteemed legislators might say, it doesn’t take a scientist to see that the world’s farms are straining beneath the weight of climate change and agri-business.
Danish biodynamic farmer Niels Stokholm and his wife, Rita, are determined to continue his self-sustaining Thorshøjgaard farm despite regulations and delegations seemingly set on shutting him down. Phie Ambo’s gorgeous documentary, Good Things Await, examines the effect of rules on a modern version of centuries-old farming. Stokholm breeds cattle in their natural state and grows vegetation based on the season and space, incorporating universal truths and commonsense application of science along the way. He may be an 80-year-old hippie underneath his worn overalls, but the evidence of his labor lives on the high-dollar plates of exquisite restaurants that host heads of state. Perhaps there’s something to be said for letting nature lead. With the help of vocal group Theatre of Voices, Ambo’s take is both lyrical and stark, reflecting the nature of Stokholm himself.
Good Things Await</h3
SXGlobal
Monday, March 16, 4pm, Violet Crown
Thursday, March 19, 4:30pm, Alamo Slaughter
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This article appears in March 13 • 2015.