Kiss the Ground

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Nevaeh C @gracecrayton22 Mar 12 Directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell and narrated by Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground reframes the climate crisis through the lens of regenerative agriculture. The documentary argues that restoring soil health is a vital, hopeful solution to global warming. By moving away from pesticides and traditional tillage in favor of cover crops and managed grazing, farmers can transform soil into a powerful carbon sink. A key demonstration by scientist Ray Archuleta visually proves that healthy soil absorbs more carbon dioxide and retains more water than degraded earth. Featuring insights from experts and advocates like Gabe Brown and the Arquettes, the film illustrates how these practices revitalize ecosystems. While it simplifies some complex global systems, its primary goal is to inspire action over despair. The message is clear: healing our soil is essential for sustaining life. As Harrelson notes, the fight for our planet’s future is one we cannot afford to give up on. See more Maggie B @RT11899578 Sep 19 From CO2 emissions to extreme weather, it is clear that our Earth is experiencing a crisis. Little did I know, the solution to combating these large-scale issues was right beneath my feet. The impact of soil spans far and wide, and Kiss the Ground does a phenomenal job at covering this. The filmmakers, Joshua and Rebecca Tickell, not only transformed my perspective on soil, but helped me understand the power I have as an individual to build a better future for our world. With the help of Woody Harrelson’s amazing narration, the film demonstrates how industrial farming has harmed the environment and people, while also pointing to solutions that could resolve these issues. The documentary inspired me as a viewer by raising awareness to each of these situations by balancing grounded realities with hope for solutions. The filmmakers combine farmer stories, history, and science to show the global impact of regenerative agriculture. Darius Fisher’s dynamic animations and descriptive visuals does an impeccable job at translating complex issues into digestible takeaways that leave a lasting impact. Furthermore, the cinematography done by Simon Balderas blew me away. With aerial views of farms, acres of crops, and timelapses of the changing of land create an immersive experience for the viewer. By featuring admirable individuals, including singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, the film connects with the audience through notable figures. Jason Mraz shows his own agroforestry, while reminding viewers that anyone is capable of positive change; all you need is a little land. Overall, Kiss the Ground is both eye-opening and inspiring. With powerful visuals and practical solutions, it shows that even small actions like planting a tree or composting can make a difference. I highly recommend it to anyone who cares about the future of our planet. See more Isaiah A @RT74482338 Jun 25 When all doors out of the climate crisis were shut, this film opened a window to safety. Before seeing this film, I had never heard of Regenerative Agriculture, much less that it could be the key to reversing the climate crisis! This is an environmental documentary that, for the first time in a long time, has left me with a sense of power and agency despite the obstacles we face. And with veteran eco-documentarians like Joshua and Rebecca Tickell behind the project, it’s no wonder how artfully this film delivers its emboldening message. This film has a lot to offer for all sorts of folks: from local farmers, to gardeners, to everyday people looking to eat healthy. While Woody Harrelson delivers resonant and compelling narration of the film’s bigger ideas, Ian Somerhalder travels to Zimbabwe with conservationist Allan Savory to discover how regenerative efforts have transformed arid land into green pastures. During Tom Brady’s cameo, he attests how the regeneratively grown foods he eats have kept him healthy and were a crucial factor in his athletic success. Meanwhile down-to-earth farmers and activists like permaculturalist Doniga Markegard and Detroit Dirt advocate Pashon Murray bring humanity to the topic, inviting us to consider the many opportunities we have in our day-to-day lives to help the planet. The story of regenerative rancher Gabe Brown was especially moving, as we learn how hard times led him to discover the regenerative principles that would change everything about how he ran his farm and ranch. If you’re ever on Amazon prime, this film is a fantastic way to spend an hour and a half that may even inspire new passions for a sort of green living we hadn’t known was possible. Thank you Joshua and Rebecca Tickell for showing us that the solutions were right under our feet! See more Joshua H @RT25773504 Jun 25 With complex solutions and emotional exhaustion, it seems virtually impossible to find a key in aiding environmental health. But what if the answer is simpler and closer than you think? Well, all you need to do is go to the nearest plot of grass and grab a clump of soil. And now you have the key. Through the guiding narration of Woody Harrelson, the documentary Kiss the Ground takes the audience on an earthly journey to experience how the world can heal through regenerative agriculture. From different locations throughout the world, such as China and California, the documentary discovers numerous insights about regenerative agriculture - the process of rebuilding a previously devastated landscape while also reshaping it to repair the damage that humans have caused to the earth. The documentary follows insightful soil experts like Ray Archuleta breaking down soil health to farmers, rancher Doniga Markegard showcasing her regenerative lucious pastures, and chief scientist Dr. Kristine Nichols relates natural grown produce consumption to human health. But we also see some celebrities that are surprising and yet welcoming new insights you might not expect. Actor and founder of givelove.org Patricia Arquette travels to Haiti spreading the importance of composting to villages and songwriter/singer Jason Mraz shows the fresh produce he grows in his agroforestry at San Diego. Even though they have different insights, all of the folks share the same passion for humanity and the will to improve the world through regenerative agriculture. Through years of hard work, directors Joshua and Rebecca Harrell Tickell have put together an amazing crew at Big Picture Ranch. Together they have shared a message that all the world deserves to see. With the incredible work of editor Philip Beckner and animator Darius Fisher, the film accompanies the complicated explanations with colorful visuals so any audience member can follow and understand. It also helps that the interviewees that the directors selected not only convey their insights easily, but the audience can hear their sincerity. Simon Balderas’s cinematography hooks the audience to the narrative with POV shots lost within flourishing green fields and close up shots to fresh produce dotted with earth and colorfully contrasted against the rich earth background. Kiss the Ground masterfully combines the art of filmmaking while advocating the importance of environmental health. If one person can be moved by this work of art, then the world is now a bit better. See more Ralph W @RT05535846 Jun 20 What if I told you everyone on Earth only had about 60 years to live? And what if there were also a proven way to prevent our extinction? What if we just had to work together to bring that solution to fruition? Luckily, we can thank directors Joshua and Rebecca Tickell, whose prestigious documentary Kiss the Ground compellingly demonstrates this notion. The first step is identifying an issue and being informed on how to solve it. This film does exactly that, monumentally exemplifying both things. With the combined efforts of many talented entertainers, influencers and political activists, this film shows us the many affected facets of the ecosystem and the potential causes of its diminishment. From the loss of topsoil caused by desertification, to the positive effects of biosequestration, the film demonstrates the many contributing factors to the micro ecology of the environment. Microbes are a major and essential component to keeping our soil healthy, our air clean, and our food nutrients rich. The truth is, without combined efforts, we are all at risk. This is why this movie's message is important for everyone. After watching the film, you understand what to be upset by and can make your own better informed decisions. Something as simple as supporting your local produce farmer can make a difference. This movie is thought-provoking, emotion-evoking, and represents a major moment in history, a segment in time that may one day represent how far we've come from a detrimental time. If we all, as a collective society, adhere to the message, then it’s possible. The somber feeling that we are going towards an inevitable downfall is diminished when we find out it is a choice. If we’re willing, the efforts of the film will one day reflect the bad past we have left behind. An inspirational sentiment that by the end of the 90 minutes is reaffirmed not only by group efforts to change but also through the film's proven examples of solutions that work! As someone who often worries as time marches on. I’m very thankful that everyone in the film put so much effort into this great piece of cinema, which tastefully exemplifies the multitude of possibilities to regenerate the damage being dealt. If you ever feel the need to get inspired that you’re part of something greater than yourself, or just want to watch a motivating movie, give it a watch. This is the kind of movie you can watch with anyone and still have a great time. Thanks to the talent in the film’s production this is one of the best films I’ve seen this decade. See more Haley C @RT53004735 May 17 Thank you to everyone who is still actively trying to educate the world to save it! 🌎💚🌱 See more Read all reviews

Kiss the Ground

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