One of the most heartwarming documentaries of the last decade that is incredibly compelling, informative, and terrifically shot” (not an easy combination to achieve, by any stretch.) NEON’s 2018 documentary “The Biggest Little Farm,” directed by John Chester, who started out as a cinematographer which probably explains why the documentary looks so incredible, even when some of it was shot on iPhones by production assistants.
The story of the doc was/is rather remarkable. Fed up with Los Angeles and how difficult it was for both of their careers, in 2010, married couple Molly and John Chester decided to leave their old lives behind and purchase an abandoned, 81-acre farm near Moorpark in neighboring Ventura County, California.
While it seems like a fantastic dream and goal, the challenges are enormous and not to mention incredibly expensive, to the point they think they might lose it all. Rechristening it “Apricot Lane Farms,” the couple spends the next seven years transforming the arid landscape into a fully functional farm and biodiverse habitat for neighboring flora and fauna. They face hardship as the difficulties of keeping a farm running mount up, often resulting in frustration and anger, but also happiness in their harmonious relationship with nature.
All the while, the Chester are documenting this struggle to turn Apricot Lane Farms into a sustainable working business and thriving farm. And well, the documentary was so beloved, National Geographic and Disney+ have jumped onto the bandwagon for a special and sequel called “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return,” which basically revisits the Chesters, the farm, many of the beloved animals who are still around and the general milieu of what has become such a sacred place, tourists started visiting it after the documentary, and it has become a haven for animal lovers.
Here’s the official synopsis:
The Disney+ Earth Day special “The Biggest Little Farm: The Return,” from National Geographic, is based on the 2018 award-winning feature documentary film that tells the story of John and Molly Chester, who abandon their urban life in Los Angeles to live on a barren farm to grow delicious food in harmony with nature in Ventura County. The new special follows the farmers’ 10-year tireless journey as they transform the land into a magical working farm and document the whole process in this heartwarming special that is akin to a real-life “Charlotte’s Web.” Apricot Lane Farms is a beautiful, complex world that reflects our planet’s biodiversity, and this special introduces audiences to animals that will quickly burrow into their hearts, like Emma the pig who welcomes her newest litter and an adorable lamb named Moe who befriends the family. This Earth Day, see how the farmers utilize the interconnectedness of nature to help build soil health, maximize biodiversity, and regeneratively grow the most nutrient-dense food possible.
Additionally, Disney+ and National Geographic are also releasing the special “Explorer: The Last Tepui,” which follows elite climber Alex Honnold (“Free Solo”) and a world-class climbing team d by National Geographic Explorer and climber Mark Synnott on a grueling mission deep in the Amazon jungle as they attempt a first-ascent climb up a 1000 foot sheer cliff. Both specials start streaming on Earth Day, April 22, on Disney+. Watch the trailers for both below.