#110: Commune

#110: Commune

Update: 2025-08-13
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In this episode, Nathan sits down with documentary filmmaker Jonathan Berman to discuss the newly restored 20th anniversary release of his 2005 film Commune—a fascinating portrait of Black Bear Ranch, a real-life countercultural commune founded in 1968 with help from rock legends like The Doors, Frank Zappa and The Monkees.

Together, they explore the ideals and contradictions of communal living, what it means to build something outside the system and why Commune feels more relevant than ever in today’s fractured world. Jonathan shares the behind-the-scenes journey of tracking down former residents, preserving decades-old archival footage and telling a story that still sparks conversation and curiosity.

Whether you're drawn to the 1960s counterculture, alternative living experiments or just love thoughtful documentary filmmaking—this is a conversation worth tuning into.

Watch the film / Learn more: communethemovie.com

Follow the film on Instagram: @communethemovie More from Jonathan Berman: OpenSignalStudios.com

Read Nathan's thoughts on ‘Commune.’

Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/moviesarelife

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#110: Commune

#110: Commune