Educational Media Reviews Online

Nevada City, California, with a population of 3,000, is the focus of this film by local resident John De Graaf. Briefly reviewing its development from the era of the Gold Rush to modern-day while weaving aspects of its social and economic history, De Graaf highlights the community that was formed starting in the 60s and 70s, when young people rejected the traditional notion of wealth and materialism, moving into Nevada City to start new lives, buying cheap land and embracing a hippie lifestyle. Over the next decades, they revitalized a town that thrived due to the community-oriented decisions of sustainable living and agriculture and progressive education, placing collaborative effort before materialistic success. The filmmaker explores these facets through historic photographs, old footage and interviews, providing a satisfying exploration of the factors that contributed to the growth of the “Back-to-the-land” movement in Nevada City.

Central to the film is the pride the residents have in their hometown, unveiled as they discuss the social, environmental and economic issues facing Nevada City over time, the creative solutions they considered for community success and the positive change that evolved as the region’s economy shifted. The conclusion is that the results experienced in Nevada City can be modelled and replicated anywhere, as long as residents love a place enough to take care of it.

Respect for the environment is a recurring theme, perhaps due to the lasting effects that mining has had on the area that exists to this day. A strong component of the film is the community engagement that led to the protection of the South Yuba River, a local natural treasure, evidenced by the sweeping views that the camera pans over. There are many good lessons that can be learned from this film if one takes it at face value as a success story of sustainable living. However, there is one striking omission. Nevada City was established at the height of the Gold Rush and as its population grew, land belonging to the indigenous Nisenan society was appropriated and the population practically wiped out. De Graaf mentions the factors that contributed to this early in the film while providing historical context, but does not revisit this topic. As a result, one is left wondering about the current-day Nisenan people and the problems they face.