The Garden (2008)
-
77% of critics liked it
(22 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(433 ratings)
In the aftermath of the 1992 L.A. riots, something truly remarkable happened at the intersection of 41st Street and Alameda Avenue thanks to an uncharacteristically charitable move by the city government; where once existed a barren field littered with garbage and syringes suddenly appeared a… More In the aftermath of the 1992 L.A. riots, something truly remarkable happened at the intersection of 41st Street and Alameda Avenue thanks to an uncharacteristically charitable move by the city government; where once existed a barren field littered with garbage and syringes suddenly appeared a 14-acre community garden. Dubbed the South Central Farm, the produce garden soon began yielding fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and sweet papayas. Now the local farmers could enjoy their own crops rather than relying on food stamps for subsistence. Not only that, but it also replaced a scene of urban blight with a scene of unusual beauty. For over a decade, the South Central Farm thrived, though in December of 2003 it appeared that the days of this inner-city oasis may be numbered. As the farmers receive eviction notices and bulldozers prepare to level the garden to make room for warehouses, filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy documents the two-and-a-half-year court battle to save the South Central Farm. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Scott Hamilton Kennedy
- Written By
- Scott Hamilton Kennedy
- Genres
- Documentary, Special Interest
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 18, 2008 Wide
- Studio
- Oscilloscope Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Mark Feeney, Boston Globe
Justice and Corruption and Profit are abstractions, and film is so ill suited to deal with abstractions.
-
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post
A good documentary leaves the viewer wanting more. A problematic one leaves the viewer needing more.
-
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
[Director] Hamilton captures the heart-wrenching devastation done in the name of profit, as citizens mourn. Incredibly effecting.
-
Kyle Smith, New York Post
The Garden is an especially fatuous documentary, nominated for an Oscar this year, about a community garden in South Central LA where Latino farmers have been allowed to grow food on somebody else's land.
-
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
This intricate and compelling documentary paints a saddening portrait of American politics.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
