Rise of the Giants & the Heart of Pumpkin Growing

I went on vacation this last weekend and took on the flight with me my copy of the Rise of the Giants movie.  I personally really enjoyed this documentary.  I know or have talked with a lot of the growers in the film and it was fun to see them all.  Also fun to see a few and hear the stories of some of the growers that I don't know much about.

If you want to learn how to grow a giant pumpkin this probably isn't the ideal film.  If you want to understand the culture in giant pumpkin growing and what motivates many of these growers then this will be an enjoyable 1 1/2 hours for you.  The movie isn't technical.  It covers the basics, but also gets into the comradery, passion and motivation for growers.  Also gets into some of the heartache and pain of being a giant pumpkin grower.

Almost all giant pumpkin growers are a little strange.  You have to be a little crazy to be dedicated to a giant fruit.  But at the same time giant pumpkin growers are some of nicest people you could meet if you follow the rules of the community.  There are a number of unwritten rules of etiquette in giant pumpkin growing.  Most are common sense but others have evolved with time and are expected to be followed to the letter in some cases.  Regardless of all of that this movie seems to try to get at the heart of pumpkin growing and probably has done the best job of any film to date. 

You can learn more about the movie at riseofthegiantsmovie.com.