A testament to the immense complexity of nature, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to both their lives and the land. When the barking of their beloved dog Todd leads to an eviction notice from their tiny LA apartment, John and Molly Chester make a choice that takes them out of the city and onto 200 acres in the foothills of Ventura County, naively endeavoring to build one of the most diverse farms of its kind in complete coexistence with nature. The land they've chosen, however, is utterly depleted of nutrients and suffering from a brutal drought. The film chronicles eight years of daunting work and outsize idealism as they attempt to create the utopia they seek, planting 10,000 orchard trees and over 200 different crops, and bringing in animals of every kind- including an unforgettable pig named Emma and her best friend, Greasy the rooster. When the farm's ecosystem finally begins to reawaken, so does the Chesters' hope - but as their plan to create perfect harmony takes a series of wild turns, they realize that to survive they will have to reach a far greater understanding of the intricacies and wisdom of nature, and of life itself.

Documentarian John Chester's chronicle of the eight-year quest he and wife Molly Chester undertook as they traded city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream - to harvest in harmony with nature. This is a story of dogged perseverance, and embracing the opportunity provided by nature's conflicts as the Chesters unlock and uncover a bio-diverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm, its seasons, and our wildest imagination. Featuring breathtaking cinematography, captivating animals, and an urgent message to heed Mother Nature’s call, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM provides us all a vital blueprint for better living and a healthier planet.

"Unexpectedly moving." (Arizona Republic)

"In a time when climate news is near-uniformly depressing, this is a nature documentary that pays loving and hopeful tribute to the complex web of life - and it won't scare your kids." (The New York Post)

"An entertaining and informative look at what it takes to build and maintain a successful small farm, giving ample evidence that small farms are the only truly sustainable ones. And it does so without any lectures on what you should and shouldn't eat." (The Public)

"This documentary may rid you of your fantasies of farm life, but it may also revive your wonder at the weird but ultimately awe-inspiring ways in which humans can help nature do its work." (The New York Times)

Sunday, June 23
Doors 3:00 pm | Movie 3:30 pm *Start time subject to change.
Advance tickets $10.50 | $12.50 at the door

*Minors welcome! Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service and main floor seating.
**Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK! Please redeem at the door.

THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM (John Chester, 2019 / 89 mins / PG) The successes and failures of a couple determined to live in harmony with nature on a farm outside of Los Angeles are lovingly chronicled by filmmaker farmer John Chester, in this inspiring documentary.