Life Off Grid

Core subject matter was somewhat interesting, but the quality of the production was horrendous. The audio is muffled, hollow, and music is at times mixed way too loud making dialog hard to hear. Video looks like it was shot on a smartphone, at 60 fps and for inexplicable reasons cropped to 2.35:1.

Also - 'off the grid' apparently just means not directly connected to the electrical grid like everyone else. I mean, these people have washing machines, satellite TV, internet access and watch more TV than I do - and I live ON the grid.

This was just a mess that shouldn't have been available on a streaming platform like Prime Video. We need higher standards.

I enjoyed this film very much. For two years, the producer and cinematographer travelled throughout Canada to meet and learn from people who for one reason or another decided to live off-grid. The film is beautifully shot, at times cinematic. The interviews are informative and honest. The real challenges of the day-to-day reality of living off-grid are freely expressed, as well as the rewards. Contradictory points of view are exposed by simply cutting from one to another. While this is not a polished super-production, and it is not a "perfect" film, I was profoundly by the people interviewed and the beautiful scenes.

Some accused the film of being political. I did not feel that way. It seemed to me like a transparent, honest undertaking. The filmmakers simply showed the vast array of experiences they met along their journey. In fact, I think the indie, sometimes slightly amateurish feel fits the theme and the mood. It is true that I would like more background on each character, their stories and such. But that would have made this a series, not a feature documentary. IMO the editing was smart in that sense. The story naturally progressed and there was enough there to get a feel for each character. If you are looking for fast-paced entertainment, this is not it. If you would like to learn a little more about different lifestyles and points of view, you will enjoy this.

This well made documentary deserves a higher rating and more media attention, certainly in these times where over consumption and the future lack of fossil fuels will become an enormous problem. The documentary follows random people that decided to live off the grid, back to the roots, providing their own energy from natural resources, growing their own food and being non dependant of anybody. It's not for everyone, it's a total different way of living, where you have to be capable of making big sacrifices. I admire people like that, but if I was going to live that way it's certainly not in Canada that I would do it, too cold to really enjoy life. I live already remote, in Spain, where sun is abondant, not totally off the grid but leaning towards that way of life. Life Off Grid is interesting for people that think about leaving the rat race, the documentary is mostly interesting to listen to all those different opinions and explanations of people that prefer isolation to big cities. They make it clear it's not all that easy but in the end it's worth it, just to be able to truly enjoy life.

This film or documentary or whatever you want to call it services NO purpose whatsoever. If you want to watch a pointless film about people talking about how they live to catch warm-fuzzes about how superior you are because you embrace off grid life then this film is for you.

You'll be happy to know this film will drive your political views about how wonderful off grid life is without offering any real proof or examples or tips or anything on how to achieve that. It's basically a mild propaganda flick on off grid life.

The only people who really gained anything with the flick are the two how probably got themselves a nice big fat assed grant to avoid having to go get real jobs for the two years it took to make it. That's about the only people who would enjoy this film.

It offer up nothing, no hints, or ideas, no solution, no suggestions on how to achieve that lifestyle so watching it to make yourself feel good about your choice to go off grid might be a wonderful motivator but it will get you nowhere.

I looked forward to his film and wanted to learn something - all learned was how to waste time.

Cheers' Dave Cason

Moves at a reasonable pace and treats all of the characters fairly if not charitably. Would make an excellent resource for high school teachers wanting to make space for analyses of ways of living/seeing outside current largely urban-centre norms.

The film does not condescend to its audience. It does not overtly preach, even if the filmmaker's acknowledged bias/perspective is easily detected in his editorial choices. My feeling is that "nerds" will love this for its frequent deep dives into technical details - not at a depth that's confusing, but enough to convey the complexity of marrying modern technologies to more traditional ones.