October 2018 (full movie not out yet)

SEED FOR THE FUTURE

INITIATIVE OF Susana de Sousa Tavares

DOCUMENTARY

Assistant production

Actor

47 INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED 
5 INSTITUTES COVERED 
MORE THAN 70 HOURS OF FOOTAGE AND INTERVIEWS

A documentary about Rudolf Steiner, his love for life and for mankind, and about the fruits of his ideas

An independent film project about Rudolf Steiner, his philosophy and ideas. Filmed in the region of Ticino, Switzerland, this film focuses on the fields of study where his ideas have been particularly fruitful: education, agriculture, medicine and socio therapy.

A new look at the thoughts of a man considered to be a visionary, a polemic philosopher, an artist, a poet, a renovator, an intellectual, a man who left us an immeasurable heritage of new thoughts and knowledge but whose ideas are still barely known or understood.  

A unique documentary film: deep, moving, clear, straight to the point, difficult to forget, featuring interviews with those who receive, apply or teach according to Steiner's ideas and instructions.

MOMENTUM AND SYNOPSIS

The world changes, grows, ages, renews itself. Life doesn’t stop. In fact, it even visibly accelerates - very rapidly.

And while life accelerates, so many of us face the risk of ceasing to evolve. Without realizing it, we are impacted by a system that increasingly influences people toward consuming and producing, instead of just simply being. It is a system that leaves little room for self-contemplation and self-judgment, for listening to others, or to an authentic process of inner growth and evolution. 

How much does modern society risk failing in generating human beings who are truly autonomous and present, who are able to think and judge freely? How does modern society fail in teaching people how to take charge of their own lives, and become a living example of honesty and integrity? How does it fail in influencing people to contribute toward a more truthful and healthy humanity? 

Quantity has become more important than quality regarding today’s modern intensive production systems and the health and sustainability of mankind, and of the planet that sustains us. Much has been said and written about these current and often polemic issues and much still is to be said and written. The same is true for pedagogical themes, like the growing pressure on students for maximum delivery, performance anxiety, excessive or early intellectual development (at the expense of other values and skills), or the lack of motivation. All of these are issues directly or indirectly approached by Rudolf Steiner around 100 years ago, in books and at conferences, and his visionary insights may have a lot to teach us. 

How much can human ideals and the nature of human beings change while the external world mutates and accelerates? Can one remain healthy while rejecting the spiritual component of humankind? What is a healthy adult? What are the pedagogical foundations for a healthy life? Are these different from those valid 100 or 200 years ago? How important is art and rhythm in school and in life in general? How can we respect the Earth and use it in a regenerative, sustainable way? 

Rudolf Steiner has left us an immeasurable heritage of new thoughts, knowledge, insights and initiatives whose potential is still, to a great extent, to be discovered and understood. His work is huge, vast, and spreads over a great number of fields. His books and articles constitute the basis of his Science of the Spirit, presented by Steiner at approximately 6,000 conferences, today available in more than 300 volumes, in addition to his other works. The initiatives born out of his thoughts have applications in many fields of human life, among which are biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophic medicine, eurythmy, the art of speech, Waldorf education, and “living” architecture.  

In Ticino, a region in southern Switzerland, one can find the effects of Steiner’s work in most of these fields, predominantly in education. But few people know much about Steiner’s life and the breadth of his skills and ideas. 

Although movements and institutions based on Steiner’s ideas continue to grow both in northern Switzerland and abroad, Ticino seems to fall somewhat behind in growth. In general, it seems to be a challenging task to understand the depth of Steiner’s work, his visionary skills and achievements, and the potential of his ideas.

Who was Rudolf Steiner? What did he stand for? What was he looking for? Was he an extraordinary clairvoyant yet to be understood, or just another philosopher whose ideas are becoming old-fashioned?

What are the bases of anthroposophical medicine, of biodynamic agriculture, of eurythmy, and what are the principles of Waldorf education? What makes Waldorf education different from other educational systems?

In a dynamic combination of interviews and slices of everyday life at several Steiner-based institutions located in Ticino, Switzerland, we try to answer some of these questions. We endeavor to bring new light to his thoughts, ideals and the fruits of his ideas, using the setting of Ticino, Switzerland to illustrate this reality. 

PURPOSE AND DISTRIBUTION

The documentary film Seeds for the Future was created with the intention of introducing Rudolf Steiner to those who are not yet particularly familiar with him and his work. The film is also intended to promote his ideas – mainly in the fields of education, socio therapy, medicine and agriculture - based on the ongoing work of the major pro-Steiner institutes in Ticino, Switzerland.

The project that aims at promoting thoughts and ideas that could nurture many initiatives in several fields and in many ways. Wise thoughts, universal and timeless, thoughts that stimulate people to find the courage to meditate on the intents of their actions and to pursue a life full of purpose.

Our goal is to produce a dynamic documentary, accessible to both national and international audiences, and suitable for both. This film is rich in content and can serve as a timeless promotional tool as well as contribute to an increased understanding of Rudolf Steiner’s ideas, both in Switzerland and abroad.

This documentary is an independent and non-profit project. In the event that revenues should exceed the cost of production, promotion and distribution, profits will be donated to non-profit institutions or initiatives applying Rudolf Steiner’s ideas.

Two public presentations should be taking placing in Ticino in 2019 ((Lugano and Bellinzona/Locarno; dates soon to be determined). Further screenings or exhibitions can be arranged upon request. The film should ultimately be available in DVD and/or streaming from the website.

FOOTAGE AND INTERVIEWS

Scuola Steiner Rivapiana-Locarno (CH): www.scuolasteinerlocarno.ch/

Scuola Steiner Origlio-Lugano (CH): www.scuolasteiner.ch/

Fondazione La Motta, Brissago (CH): www.la-motta.ch/

Casa Andrea Cristoforo, Ascona (CH): casa-andrea-cristoforo.ch/?lang=it

Christian Zündel Winery, Beride (CH): ticivino.ch/zuendel-christian-beride/

More than 40 interviews were conducted in the 5 institutions listed above. Among the interviewees were medical professionals, teachers, managers, Waldorf school parents and former parents, Waldorf school students and former students, and a biodynamic wine producer. In addition, we have also interviewed the mayor of Origlio (Ticino) and 3 scholars who are specialists on Rudolf Steiner’s life and work.

Footage and interviews took place in Ticino, Switzerland, in 2017 and 2018. 

The production of the documentary relies on the work of volunteers and on donations. 
Although two of the team members have children in Waldorf schools, the documentary is independent and not formally connected to the management of any of the institutes covered in the footage.

CLICK HERE to go the the official website of the project