ROOTED in PEACE challenges viewers to examine their values as Americans and human beings. Today we are at war within ourselves, with our environment, and with the world. Director and award-winning filmmaker Greg Reitman invites viewers on a film journey to take notice of the world we live in, proactively seek ways to find personal and ecological peace, and stop the cycle of violence. The film relies not only on memoir, but also interviews with such luminaries and activists as Deepak Chopra, music legends Donovan, Mike Love, and Pete Seeger, film director David Lynch, Noble Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire, media mogul Ted Turner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, green architect William McDonough, neuroscientist Dan Siegel and many others.
Reitman learns from all of them, and heeds Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s words, that if the forest is to be green, every tree must be green; if there’s going to be Peace on earth, then everybody needs to experience that quality of Peace within themselves. And so in asking viewers to do the same, Reitman poses the basic question: How do we want to live?
Reitman’s journey is an example of transformation — how one person can learn to make the necessary changes to enjoy a better life — and in so doing inspire others to want to improve their own lives, and society as a whole.
As a teenager, I lived in the first gulf war in Israel and that one experience changed my life. When I returned to college, I was unaware of the affects of PTSD. Later that year, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Hokkaido University and during that time visited the Hiroshima Peace memorial. It was at that moment, where I suddenly realized the impact of war and the destructive power of war. Completely in denial, when I returned home to Amherst, I woke in tears wanting to heal the world. I created the Giving Tree: ROOTED in PEACE.
Film is an instrument of change. By allowing the viewer to share my personal story, the experience becomes as profound as the journey itself. In our new awareness film, ROOTED in PEACE, goes beyond the normal boundaries of filmmaking and uses the personal story as a vehicle for change combined with a collective of peace, environmental and heath activists to raise awareness of the issue of our inter-connectedness to the planet and the stakes that lie ahead.
With this project, I want to tackle the most important problem the world has ever faced, that war serves no purpose, whether personal, environmental or political. As Ghandi states, “You must be the change you see in the world“ As a collective species we need to understand that change begins within oneself. By combining a personal and compelling film and a groundbreaking activation campaign, we want to create a social movement for change.
— Greg Reitman
This fall September 21st ROOTED in PEACE will be released to over 1000 Unity Churches across the USA and the world in celebration of the PEACE DAY. I’ve decided to be disruptive and release the film online celebration of Ghandi’s birthday on October 4th.
ROOTED in PEACE will be available via download on all platforms.
I’m super delighted to share this film and look forward to seeing the change in everyone.
Namaste,
Greg Reitman
Available to purchase in over 230 countries September 21st, 2017
Throughout the years people have been asking for me to update my personal website allowing fans to follow my journey into Hollywood as a green filmmaker. The time as arrived and starting today fans will be able to follow me as we Green Hollywood and allow creativity, and consciousness based entertainment to take root into Hollywood.
What began for me 15 years ago purchasing my Catalina Kelp Forest book at the Malibu Dive Shop and then meeting my two filmmakers Tommy Bluemer (Producer) and Bill Totolo (Director Photography) up at UCLA Film School changed the course of my life. It led me on a journey of writing, producing, & directing my first feature documentary film on Catalina Island. Subsequently, filmmaking is now a full time passion and more importantly a career of creating movies that uplift humanity. Winning the audience award at the Sundance Film Festival for FIELDS OF FUEL now FUEL opened my eyes to how films with intention for social action can move the masses to a higher state of consciousness. My new feature documentary film, ROOTED in PEACE serves the same purpose in helping all of us wake up to a world worth living. I’m looking forward to sharing with you the next ten years of building a slate of motion pictures with that same intention; making content that transforms our world.
In the website you’ll find rare photos, videos, interviews, music, updates on my film projects, as well as the most current projects that I’m taking on.
There is no doubt how fortunate I am to do the work I do. But the biggest enjoyment comes from people who experience a Blue Water Entertainment film and find a pathway to their happiness.
I hope you enjoy the site.
Namaste,
Greg Reitman
