POV Season 8 Episode 8
POV
Season 8

Ep 8. Home Economics: A Documentary of Suburbia

  • July 18, 1995

Home Economics: A Documentary of Suburbia, the eighth episode of the eighth season of the acclaimed PBS series POV, presents a sharp and enlightening look at the suburbs of Ohio, a microcosm of the wider American suburban experience. The film, directed by C.M. Clay, presents interviews with a diverse cast of Ohio residents, many of them members of the working class, who speak frankly on their lives, their struggles, and the evolving nature of the American Dream in an era of economic and social upheaval.

In many ways, Home Economics serves as a timely exploration of the suburbs, a landscape that continues to play a major role in the American imagination even as demographic and economic changes continue to reshape many suburban communities. Through a series of personal stories and insightful analysis, the film offers a rich portrait of the struggles and the triumphs of life in contemporary American suburbs.

One of the most striking themes that emerges from Home Economics is the idea of home and community. The film emphasizes the sense of belonging that many suburban residents feel, highlighting the importance of neighbors, schools, and local institutions in shaping the fabric of suburban life. Directors interview several people, including educators, community organizers, and parents, who stress the importance of fostering a sense of community in the ever-changing suburban landscape. At the same time, however, the film also highlights the isolation and disconnection that can often plague suburban life, particularly for those who lack the resources to fully participate in the suburban dream.

Another key theme that runs throughout Home Economics is that of economic insecurity. The film is unflinching in its exploration of the struggles that many suburban residents face in a rapidly changing economy, with factory closings, outsourcing, and stagnant wages all taking a toll on the working-class families who make up much of the Ohio suburbs. Directors present intimate portraits of individuals who have lost jobs, lost homes, and struggled to make ends meet in a shifting economic landscape. While some interviewed hold out hope for a return to a past era of prosperity, many others emphasize the need for new approaches to suburban economics, such as community-based enterprises and alternative modes of transportation.

The film's exploration of diversity in the suburbs is also particularly noteworthy. Directors interview a range of individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, including several people whose families came to the suburbs as part of the wave of suburbanization in the mid-20th century. These interviews highlight the tensions and complexities that often exist around race and class in the suburbs, while also underscoring the importance of efforts to build bridges across cultural and economic divides.

Throughout Home Economics, the cinematography is lush, with beautiful shots of suburban landscapes and intimate portraits of individuals and communities. The film's pacing is also deliberately slow, allowing viewers to sink deeply into the lives and struggles of suburban residents.

Overall, POV's Home Economics is a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the American suburbs, offering a vivid and compelling portrait of the hopes, dreams, and challenges faced by those who call this uniquely American landscape home. With its insightful analysis and intimate portraits of real people, Home Economics is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complexities and contradictions of suburban life in the United States.

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Description

Home Economics: A Documentary of Suburbia, the eighth episode of the eighth season of the acclaimed PBS series POV, presents a sharp and enlightening look at the suburbs of Ohio, a microcosm of the wider American suburban experience. The film, directed by C.M. Clay, presents interviews with a diverse cast of Ohio residents, many of them members of the working class, who speak frankly on their lives, their struggles, and the evolving nature of the American Dream in an era of economic and social upheaval.

In many ways, Home Economics serves as a timely exploration of the suburbs, a landscape that continues to play a major role in the American imagination even as demographic and economic changes continue to reshape many suburban communities. Through a series of personal stories and insightful analysis, the film offers a rich portrait of the struggles and the triumphs of life in contemporary American suburbs.

One of the most striking themes that emerges from Home Economics is the idea of home and community. The film emphasizes the sense of belonging that many suburban residents feel, highlighting the importance of neighbors, schools, and local institutions in shaping the fabric of suburban life. Directors interview several people, including educators, community organizers, and parents, who stress the importance of fostering a sense of community in the ever-changing suburban landscape. At the same time, however, the film also highlights the isolation and disconnection that can often plague suburban life, particularly for those who lack the resources to fully participate in the suburban dream.

Another key theme that runs throughout Home Economics is that of economic insecurity. The film is unflinching in its exploration of the struggles that many suburban residents face in a rapidly changing economy, with factory closings, outsourcing, and stagnant wages all taking a toll on the working-class families who make up much of the Ohio suburbs. Directors present intimate portraits of individuals who have lost jobs, lost homes, and struggled to make ends meet in a shifting economic landscape. While some interviewed hold out hope for a return to a past era of prosperity, many others emphasize the need for new approaches to suburban economics, such as community-based enterprises and alternative modes of transportation.

The film's exploration of diversity in the suburbs is also particularly noteworthy. Directors interview a range of individuals from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, including several people whose families came to the suburbs as part of the wave of suburbanization in the mid-20th century. These interviews highlight the tensions and complexities that often exist around race and class in the suburbs, while also underscoring the importance of efforts to build bridges across cultural and economic divides.

Throughout Home Economics, the cinematography is lush, with beautiful shots of suburban landscapes and intimate portraits of individuals and communities. The film's pacing is also deliberately slow, allowing viewers to sink deeply into the lives and struggles of suburban residents.

Overall, POV's Home Economics is a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of the American suburbs, offering a vivid and compelling portrait of the hopes, dreams, and challenges faced by those who call this uniquely American landscape home. With its insightful analysis and intimate portraits of real people, Home Economics is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the complexities and contradictions of suburban life in the United States.

  • First Aired
    July 18, 1995
  • Language
    English
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