The Spirit of Rice is a heartfelt, one-hour journey into the soul of one of humanity’s most treasured foods. Filmed largely at South River Farm in Conway, Massachusetts, where Christian and Gaella Elwell have lovingly cultivated rice for a generation, the documentary follows the elegant rhythm of the seven stages of rice growing — from the first spark of seed to the joy of harvest. 

With stirring cinematography and heartfelt storytelling, the film honors rice as the staff of life for half the people on Earth and the many creatures it helps sustain. It reveals how this humble grain carries a legacy of nourishment, culture, and peace — and invites viewers of all ages to reconnect with nature by growing rice in a bucket or small garden, preparing simple and delicious whole grain rice-based meals, and sharing in rice’s harmonious energy. 

Produced by Planetary Health and the Macrobiotic Global Institute — nonprofits devoted to sustainable, regenerative living — the film features inspiring voices from the fields of medical research, nutrition, and the culinary arts, including Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Neal Barnard, M.D., and soil biogeochemist Angela Seyfferth of the University of Delaware. 

The Spirit of Rice is a celebration — of farmers and seed keepers, of Earth’s fertile abundance, and of the wisdom contained in a single grain.