One Big Home

terrific for its honesty about the disturbing trend toward McMansions and the complexities of confronting it. In the course of the telling, Bena comes to confront and question his own values—and participate in political progress nonetheless.

Thomas Bena produced a most powerful documentary that began when he had concerns about a large house that was being built. He became engaged in the building and started going to meetings to find out how this came to be. As a result he became involved. This film shows how communities can work together, through blood, sweat and tears and build with the community in mind. It has been shown in numerous communities throughout the country and has had a great impact on planning.

What can be done when the community and lifestyle that we cherish is threatened by unwanted “progress”, waste, and invasion? Rather than fight against these monsters homes, we can (must) fight for what we value. We are facing a similar problem in Hawaii with foreign builder/investors outbidding local families for single family old homes with cash, then knocking down the old houses, trees, and whatever else is in their way in order to build monsters: apartment like buildings without ample parking or any regard for the neighborhood. Thomas’ movie came to Hawaii with perfect timing - we CAN do something about monsters!

Wow, what a powerful and timely documentary. I rented it based solely on the fact that my family and I have been going to Martha’s Vineyard for the last 30 years, but came away very impressed and much more informed. I highly recommend this film to all.

As an artist who addresses housing development in relation to sustainable land use, I always search for a solutions-based discourse - and Bena delivers! In this very personal and heartfelt film, he insprires to get involved in the process of determining zoning regulations. I found One Big Big Home to be absolutely instructive. I highly recommend watching this film, and also reading the Chilmark bylaw details provided under the resources link on the film's website.

More than ever we cannot be passive bystanders in this often chaotic world. But engagement is not easy and this movie brings that message home by weaving together the story of a personal journey with the destiny of a very special place. A slice of real New England that anyone any where can relate to.

As an artist who addresses housing development in relation to sustainable land use, I always search for a solutions-based discourse - and Bena delivers! In this very personal and heartfelt film, he insprires to get involved in the process of determining zoning regulations. I found One Big Big Home to be absolutely instructive. I highly recommend watching this film, and also reading the Chilmark bylaw details provided under the resources link on the film's website.

As an artist who addresses housing development in relation to sustainable land use, I always search for a solutions-based discourse - and Bena delivers! In this very personal and heartfelt film, he inspires to get involved in the process of determining zoning regulations. I found One Big Home to be absolutely instructive. I highly recommend watching this film, and also reading the Chilmark bylaw details provided under the resources link on the film's website.

In a world where documentaries often hold bias, it was refreshing to watch one that gave each side equal representation. I love how Thomas provides the viewer with a holistic landscape of big houses and thier impact on our environment. It is amazing how he is able to keep it light and hopefull in the context of a hard topic. If you are at all interested in our earth and how to be a part of the positive change, you must watch One Big Home!

What a brilliant film this is. Thomas Bena shows how megamansions impact upon all of us and impact communities negatively. Millions locally and globally are disenfranchised in the area of housing, or adequate housing, and it is a tragedy that houses and apartments remain empty, some for large swathes of the year, others for years until the 'investment' has reaped sufficient dividend. In 2005, it was estimated there to be 100 million people homeless, a number which has undoubtedly risen as global property prices have reached record heights. One Big Home is a tale of Martha's Vineyard; it is also a global tale in the struggle for housing for all and a more equitable distribution of one of the necessities of life. Thank you for the film. All power to you.