BRATTLEBORO — "Far Out: Life On & After the Commune," an 85-minute documentary that tells the story of two local communal farms, will run at the Latchis from Sept. 6 to Sept. 12, with a special premiere event and discussion with the filmmakers and commune residents on Sept.
7. In addition, there will be an art exhibit with work from members of the community at the Latchis Gallery that will open on Sept. 6.
In the summer of 1968, in the middle of a left-wing faction fight, a group of radical journalists from Liberation News Service (LNS) left New York City for the country. They founded two communes — at Packer Corners in Guilford, and in Montague, Mass. After leaving the city and turning away from national politics, the group of mostly young city slickers became pioneers in the back-to-the-land and organic farming movement.
With the help of their neighbors, they spent the first five years learning rudimentary agricultural skills as well as how to live and work with each other as a communal family. In 1973, when the local utility proposed a giant twin nuclear plant 4 miles from the Montague Farm, they became active opponents. In a dramatic act of civil disobedience, Sam Lovejoy, from the Montague Farm, toppled a 500-foot weather tower on the planned nuclear site.
He turned himself in, and after a trial where he represented himself and drew national attention, was acquitted. Subsequently, the group became leaders in the burgeoning anti-nuclear movement, from the battles over.