Oscilloscope have been making huge strides at becoming the home for socially relevant and socially responsible documentary films: just in the last three months they’ve released The Garden, Burma VJ and Unmistaken Child. Now the New York based distributer have added one more Sundance Film Festival doc title to their slate with plans to open Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein’s No Impact Man: The Documentary on September 4th. A feature film version may be in the works, Columbia House picked up the screen rights to a feature based on the book by Colin Beavan.
The synopsis mentions that “Beavan cut out all forms of consumption that leave a footprint, including electricity and automated transportation”, but the choice of becoming a vegetarian and not becoming a vegan ultimately No Impact Man becomes a person who makes a little imapct. The doc examines the effects on him and his family.
Variety said its a “rare doc (these days) that could go theatrical, largely because it’s a film about a couple, more than a movement. In fact, at the risk of causing domestic discord, this Laura Gabbert-Justin Schein film might have been called “No Impact Woman.” Below you’ll find how one part of the filmmaking team stumbled upon the subjects.