by Wim Dorsman
Translated by Hugo Uyttenhove
Fall 2002

"If man wants to survive, he will have to find ways to give and receive love. The renewed discovery of the community, security and happiness are important requirements for this. The video ‘Visions of Utopia’ by Geoph Kozeny shows a number of examples which we can use well". — Patch Adams

The above comment by Patch Adams, describing the new video endorsed by the Fellowship for Intentional Communities, paints a hopeful picture of the American community living movement. Covered in the video are an introduction to 2500 years of community living and an overview of the current community life by way of seven portraits of communities. These communities are of a diverse nature: the anthroposophic Camphill movement that builds its communities on sharing lives with mental and physically handicapped children, a meditation and yoga community, a ‘Central Living’ complex, and a ‘Catholic Worker’ home that takes care of the poor in the big city. (This latter community will be in part two of the video, which will be published in a few years.)

By juxtaposing interviews with actual pictures of the daily life in the communities, the author provides a lively overview. You witness people working in the yard, cooking, laughing and playing, and taking care of children. He also shows that problems do occur, such as the fact that ‘we do not always discuss things openly with one another’ or ‘we are not making enough room for families with children’.

The vision upon which the video is based is represented in the subtitle: “Experiments in Sustainable Culture.” Communities are experimental laboratories of people living together according to how the members of the community would like it to be. If there is any lingering impression that communal groups live differently from how those in the general and larger community live, this video shows that the wishes of the community members are not far removed from those of the average person: a stable environment, good education for the children, meaningful and satisfying work, a safe and clean environment, and for many a spiritual feeding ground that forms the basis of their actions.

In view of the current social discussion about norms and values, it proves to be a good exercise to look at the video from that perspective. What makes a community successful according to the communities that are represented? “A clear vision, an open attitude towards others, good communication, the will to work together, and a good doses of common sense and hard work”.

In the past 15 years, Geoph has visited more than 350 communities. During that period he has seen just about every form of community living, from anarchistic, to cooperative, to hierarchical, and even including benevolent dictators. Each of these forms can turn out good or bad. His experience is that a group is only alive and shining when the member believe 100% in their system and participate with enthusiasm.

For those who need an introduction to the possibilities and impossibilities of community living in a wide context, this video is a good choice.
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