Contemporary writers are often recognized for their emphasis on the 'importance of place' in their work. Authors like Ivan Doig (This House of Sky); Leslie Marmon Silko (Ceremony); and Jim Harrison (Legends of the Fall) are examples. Wendell Berry is another. Berry writes essays, poems, and novels that fit well in this literary category with his emphasis being environmental and agricultural matters.
Wendell Berry addresses rural American life, the people who live on the land, the environment that surrounds them, and the decline of family farms. His words can awaken early memories in anyone. Berry has helped raise awareness of American landscapes and what has been sacrificed to Industrial agriculture. The documentary film, Look & See, A Portrait of Wendell Berry, produced by the filmmaker Laura Dunn, screened this year at the Sundance Film Festival. After the premiere the director was introduced by Robert Redford, the founder of Sundance, and they conducted the Q&A. It received wide acclaim at the Festival.
Here is the trailer:
Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry Trailer from Laura Dunn on Vimeo.
Look & See has aired on the PBS program Independent Lens and is also available on streaming services.
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