During the Summer of 2008 I was invited by my good friend and film maker, Jonathan Kalafer to join him and his crew to film a documentary about the Rainbow Gathering. We packed in to an RV and drove cross country from New Jersey to Wyoming and spent 10 days filming. The experience was quite memorable to say the least, and our film has gone on to win Best Documentary at the LA Shorts Festival. Below is a brief synopsis and trailer.
Every summer since 1972, Rainbow Gatherings have attracted tens of thousands of people to a different U.S. National Forest. They create a temporary city in the wilderness, complete with kitchens, plumbing, medical care, sanitation, and childcare. The gathering culminates with an elaborate and graceful prayer for Peace on the Fourth of July.
Gatherings attract all different kinds of people, all for different reasons, from all different places despite intense pressure from Federal Law Enforcement who attempt to prohibit them. All of this happens through the efforts of individuals without any formal organization or leaders and without anyone buying a ticket or being paid for their labor.
