How do we heal ourselves through reconnection to the natural world? How do we heal what is left of the wild – our own inner wild and the outer wild? Immersed in experiences recounted by writers, filmmakers, artists, environmentalists, adventurers, therapists, and political activists, we delve into scientific inquiry around topics such as personal action, sustainable business and life practices, nature therapies and how we need and use nature to regenerate ourselves.
Alongside this exploration, we address the reality that we must heal what is left of our planet. Fools’ Paradise (lost?) is a love letter to our wild. In a time when climate change and environmental degradation pose dire consequences for both humanity and the planet, we hope that by revealing pathways for healing through our reconnection to the natural world, we will learn to care for it – and if the earth benefits, we will all benefit.
What can different cultures histories offer us as lessons for our future? What are some of our most prominent thinkers and creators doing to make change within themselves and beyond? How can we tap into those lessons and experiences both as individuals and communities?
What came before, what is happening now, and what can be done in the future?
Alexandra Lexton
Alexandra Lexton’s company Lex Productions was founded in 1998. The company develops and produces arthouse style films, including those Alex has written. Alex has been working in the film industry and writing over the course of her career. Her roles in the film industry have included producer, writer, production executive, development director, actor, and marketing, among others. She holds a BA in English literature and dramatic arts from Whitman College, and an MFA in writing from Goddard College. Alex has produced four feature length films. Her award-winning directorial debut is entitled The Lure of this Land and had its world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2019. The Lure of this Land is currently distributed by Bayview Entertainment and is available on Amazon, Tubi, and Hoopla, among others. Alex conducts public speaking and teaching engagements, as well as workshops on writing and film production. She judges for various film festivals, and is also an apple farmer and retreat leader at 1900 Apple Farm.
Director’s Statement
During a time of profound worldwide disruption, Fools’ Paradise (lost?) director Alexandra Lexton made a significant change in her life when she moved to live solo on a 120 year old apple farm in Northern California. The emotional and physical upheaval that occurred during this time, which coincided with the early first phases of the COVID pandemic, prompted her to make a deeper inquiry around how we as individuals can make change through our work and art for ourselves, the land we steward, and our communities. In the early stages of conceptualizing and developing Fools’ Paradise (lost?), Alex met “Planetwalker” Dr. John Francis – her “aha” moment! His work and beliefs closely reflected the ideas she hoped to explore through this project. With his commitment (among others) to participation, the story began unfolding. To Alex, the themes and issues that this documentary delves into are deeply personal. The question of how we as individuals and communities should reside on and relate to the land is one she carries with her in daily life.
Director:
Alexandra Lexton
Writer:
Alexandra Lexton
Producer:
Alexandra Lexton
Year Released:
2024
Country:
Tanzania, U.S.A.
Length:
01:38:00
Reviews:
Mill Valley Film Fest: Former Marin resident’s documentary reflects on reconnecting with nature
When Alexandra Lexton bought a more than 100-year-old apple farm in Sonoma County in 2020, it caught some people by surprise. She didn’t know much about apple farming, except for when she’d taken care of a small garden and orchard 20-some years ago — but nothing close to the 5-acre farm she’d have to learn how to tend and care for.
But, after a tumultuous time in her life, the former Marin resident craved a peaceful place and a reconnection with nature, hoping her hands in the earth would ground her.
“When I first got here, I would walk my dog, Ayla, who died a couple of months ago, around the whole orchard every morning just so I could see it and sense it and notice the changes and become more attuned to the needs of the land,” she says. Click to read more…
How do we heal ourselves through reconnecting to the natural world? How do we heal what is left of the wild – our own inner wild and the outer wild?
Alexandra Lexton:
“In a time when climate change and environmental degradation pose dire consequences for both humanity and the planet, we hope that by revealing pathways for healing through our reconnection to the natural world, we will learn to care for it – and if the earth benefits, we will all benefit.”
We switch gears and speak to The Climate Center’s Chief Operating Officer Barry Vesser on the Polluters Pay Package that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. These bills consist of: AB 3233 – the Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act, AB 1866 – the Idle Oil Wells Clean Up Bill, and AB 2176 – the Low Producing Wells Accountability Act. Click to read more…
Chris interviews filmmaker Alexandra Lexton about her latest film, ‘Fool’s Paradise Lost,’ which highlights the therapeutic benefits and profound beauty of nature. They discuss how Alexandra’s upbringing in Northern California and personal challenges inspired her film, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with the natural world for emotional and psychological well-being. Click to read more…
Sonoma County Artistry: Defending, celebrating our sacred bond with Mother Earth
Next, the latest installment in our Sonoma County Artistry series:
Alexandra Lexton’s new film asks viewers to think about the wild around us, and within.
The Sebastopol-based filmmaker charts a personal journey, questioning the natural world around us and the need to heal the planet as we heal ourselves.
Here is an excerpt from a recent conversation between Lexton and KRCB News’ Noah Abrams. Click to read more…
“A Love Letter to Our Wild”: Los Angeles Premiere of Documentary Feature Fools’ Paradise (Lost?) at the 20th La Femme International Film Festival
There is a symbiotic necessity to heal ourselves through reconnection to the natural world and to heal what is left of our planet. Fools’ Paradise (lost?) delves into scientific inquiry around personal action, sustainable business and life practices, nature therapies, and how we need and use nature to regenerate ourselves. In a time when climate change and environmental degradation pose dire consequences for both humanity and the planet, we hope that by revealing pathways for healing through reconnection to our natural environment, we will learn to care for it—and if the earth benefits, we will all benefit. Immersed in stories of hope and possibility, this film highlights experiences recounted by such subjects as an adventurous nature photographer, a science writer, an Indigenous scholar, an ecotherapist, and Marin’s own “Planetwalker,” Dr. John Francis. Fools’ Paradise (lost?) is a love letter to our wild: our own inner wild and the outer wild. Click to read more…
Alexandra Lexton
