Page 9 - C.A.L.L. #23 - Spring 2004
P. 9
Video
Visions of Utopia (2002): Experiments in sustainable culture (91 mins)
What were Geoph Kozeny's intended goals for questions.
this production? Who is his target audience? Essentially, via seven examples of communities
These are the questions that come to mind after in North America, Kozeny draws attention to
watching 'Visions of Utopia'. Of course, the the "melting pot" of intentional communities.
standpoint of a member of an intentional Each community has a blend unique to its own
community will be different and perhaps more identity living by everyday values parallel with
accepting than that of the 'cynical outsider' (i.e. the rest of society, but they are not happy with
those intending to learn something about these the corresponding status quo i.e. like all
'intentional communities' that go against the mainstream families, they are also striving for
grain of accepted capitalist or 'western' a stable home and good education, meaningful
uniformity).
and satisfying work, safe
Kozeny's dulcet tones set the scene neighbourhood, pollution-free
perfectly: "For all their variety, the environment and a lifestyle
communities featured in this video consistent with their values. They
hold a common commitment to living are seeking lives that actualise
cooperatively, to solving problems our untapped human potential via
non-violently, and to sharing their community that is not the end in
experiences with others". He itself, but a tool to help us in
illustrates the search for a bigger living our lives.
sense of community as the central If the viewer lives in an intentional
focus in the members' lives, the community already, they could see
pioneering work in how to cooperate, this film from one of two
share resources and live sustainably. perspectives: (1) an insight into
He portrays the lives of idealists, how some other communities live
peace and harmony, and people living and have developed, thus giving
together who share common goals, strength and support in the
but at the same time, he also reminds knowledge that there are other
the viewer that: "If you hear about the people in the world that are trying to live by
perfect community with no rough edges, assume similar values, or (2) be patronised by the
you are not getting the whole story. All have to over-simplicity of the documentary, and the
face challenges of ego and personality at some blatant American bias of the communities
time in intentional communities". Kozeny featured. For those interested parties that are
highlights the need for conflict in order to researching into potential life choices for
constructively assist us in knowing who we are themselves, or gaining an understanding of
and what we can be, leading us to the two intentional communities, even though they may
simple matters for all members of an intentional
also be scared off by the apparent need for
community:
long hair or a bedraggled beard in order to gain
• Do the members whole-heartedly believe their club membership card, they will have a
in the system they are using? better understanding of what may lie ahead of
them, and will learn numerous methods by
• Are they participating with enthusiasm?
which to execute their dream. This film can
In all communities, no matter how long- give inspiration as to what is achievable in
established or developed they are, whilst making the world a better place.
recognising shifts in focus, ideology and
practice, which is accepted and part of a
process over time, it is essential to question and Review by Jeremy Aron, Kvutsat Yovel
remind themselves of these two basic
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