Ein neues wir: Documentary on eco-villages

I caught an interesting documentary by Stefan Wolf called Ein neues wir: Ökodörfer und ökologische Gemeinschaften in Europa ("a new we: eco-villages and ecological communities in Europe"). It profiles 10 communities in Europe, interviewing residents to show what life in each place is like. Although it's not exactly an earth-shattering film—Wolf doesn't tie the villages together or discuss their cultural or political relevance—it does show how real people are living today with a lighter ecological footprint.

Interesting, too, is that the residents' interest lies in the sense of community and well-being that comes from living in these eco-villages. Aside from a few solar panels and talk of energy-efficient buildings, their environmentally friendly lifestyle comes from living simply. Most of their diets are vegetarian or vegan and come from the food they grow themselves. A huge part of the day is spent with arts, music, and spiritual ceremonies: there isn't a TV or car to be found. Although the film doesn't discuss this directly, I suspect that the values shared by eco-villagers cause them to own fewer possessions, which allows them to work less and enjoy more free time as well as reduce their carbon emissions.

This slow, easy pace life had in the ten villages struck me the most from the film. It reminded me a little of the philosophy I've seen in long-distance hikers, but as a long-term way of life. Now I'm curious to visit one.