Posted: 08/05/2009

The Garden (2009)

by Michael J. Nicholas

We all have seen unsightly, barren vacant lots on our daily journeys from point A to point B. Imagine one that spans a depressing 14 acres. Now imagine the same plot of desolate wasteland getting transformed from eyesore into lush, green gardens providing food for many of the community’s poorest residents. Well, this was the reality on a chunk of land in South Central Los Angeles that rose up out of the ashes following the infamous riots they had back in 1992. 350 families and over 3,000(mostly hispanic) people divided up and worked this land into their own little organic heavens in order to help feed themselves. Not only was this garden about food, it was about the pride these immigrants, living below poverty-level, had for themselves due to the way they were perceived and treated by local government and society.

Ralph Horowitz was the developer who sold the land to the city in 1988 and then bought it back for the same backdoor deal in 2003. This is just one of the true-life villains that took part in the power-hungry, greed-induced, shady political dealings which was never meant to help these poor farmers in any way. After setting a pricetag of $16 million for the farm to the workers(in which he only paid $5 million), Mr. Horowitz later reneged on the offer, after the farmers actually came up with the money due to organization, hard work and celebrity support. Antonio Villaraigosa, the Los Angeles Mayor who campaigned during the Garden’s turmoil, won after much mutual support between the two’s plights. After taking office, the Mayor later turned his back on the farmers and refused to get involved. Nice guy, huh?

Well, after they lost their day in court and the Garden was bulldozed, the South Central Farmers set up an 85 acre community farm in Bakersfield, California. Sure, it sounds like a win-win situation, but the citizens who were run out of their original garden, are still left with a bad taste in their mouth. Basically, it just shows that nobody is on your side but money; your own government doesn’t even have your back. The plot of land where the garden once stood, is still vacant, waiting on plans to build a warehouse facility.

This was a very informative and eye-opening documentary by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, showing the power of people as a group when standing up against injustice and having their voices heard as one. Also, how government is not about the people- it’s about the dollar. Bonus features include:

*Feature length commentary track with filmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy, farmer and activist Tezozomoc, and producers Vivianne Nacif and Dominique Derrenger

*Back to the Garden: extended scenes, protests, & historical perspectives

*Director interview with film critic David Poland (Movie City News)

*Optional English and Spanish subtitles

Michael J. Nicholas - a.k.a. Nicky The Note - reviews, opinions & life lessons.

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