The Unexpected Beauty of Our Permaculture Vision in Film
In May 2023, we embarked on a creative adventure with Simon, a talented young Canadian videographer, who joined us at our off-grid home in Tenerife.
The goal? To create a visually stunning and inspirational video that would capture our values of sustainability, beauty, and love as we transformed our barren land into a thriving food forest.
For two weeks, Simon lived with us, immersing himself in our daily life, working the land, and experiencing our vision firsthand.
We wanted to create something special – a film that would showcase my dream of becoming a permaculture food forest designer and inspire others to embrace this sustainable approach to growing food.
Throughout those weeks, we explored the island, discussed our shared passion for sustainability, and built a strong connection.
Simon filmed every moment, capturing the essence of our journey in a way that was both raw and artistic.
When he returned to Canada, he promised us a final cut soon.
When the video finally arrived, it wasn’t what we initially envisioned.
It leaned too much into the artistic realm, and perhaps my script and voice didn’t do it justice.
It lacked the clarity and energy we had hoped to convey.
Moreover, my career path shifted away from food forest design, making re-editing the video feel unnecessary.
But despite not fulfilling its original purpose, the video became a cherished memory.
It beautifully encapsulates that period of our lives – our efforts to cultivate a food forest in challenging conditions, our conversations about sustainability, and the quiet beauty of our everyday life.
It may not have turned out as planned, but it now serves as a visual testament to the values we hold dear and the journey we took to make our vision a reality.
Even though the final result was different from our expectations, the process of creating the video was deeply meaningful.
It taught us about flexibility, creativity, and the importance of capturing the present moment.
And who knows?
Perhaps one day, it will inspire others to start their own journey toward sustainability and self-sufficiency, just as we did.
In the end, the video may not have been perfect, but it perfectly captured our story.