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Relying on the kindness of strangers – could you do it?

Lindsay Taub | December 27, 2011 | Comments (3)

Greg Grano

Two recent NYU film school graduates, Sarah Sellman and Greg Grano, set off on an adventure to test a simple concept: the kindness of strangers.

In the summer of 2010, armed with nothing but their curiosity and a camera, Sarah and Greg traveled the country relying on the kindness of strangers for a home each night. Every day they were in a new town, meeting new people, and hoping that someone would be generous enough to open their home to two young strangers.

Could you do it? They did, and now they’re in the process of turning the adventure into a documentary film for all of us to see: “American Bear: An Adventure In The Kindness Of Strangers.” The docu is said to be “an exploration of our country through trust, fear, and hospitality, across America and between Americans.”

Sarah Sellman

In 60 days, the young couple makes their way around the U.S., along the way encountering hundreds of strangers (and new friends). It all began a year earlier, during another road trip, with an inspired dream that became the blueprint for the journey. In his sleep, Greg said, “We have to go to Bear, Colorado!” –- only Bear, CO didn’t exist.

They found that five other Bears DO exist in the country, and ironically made a perfect loop between Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Arkansas, and Delaware — and so began their adventure through 30 states around the country.

“American Bear” invites audiences to experience the adventure themselves, explore American culture, and the beautiful kindness of strangers that’s hiding around every corner of every small town and big city across the country.

They are currently fundraising for post production. Let’s hope they get it – I can’t wait to see their journey! To learn more visit www.americanbearfilm.com.

Here’s the trailer:

*This story also ran on The Pacific Punch here.

Category: Features, Pacific Punch

About Lindsay Taub: Lindsay is an award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience as a writer/editor, producer and photographer covering travel, lifestyle, culture, arts, food, and all facets that make life a journey. She calls Los Angeles home when she's there, but prefers to leave the city for the mountains and open spaces as often as possible. She loves cooking, gardening, live music, hiking with her three rescue dogs, and nothing beats cheese and wine during a spectacular sunset. If you can't find her, she's trekking through a jungle, seeking a seeker, admiring wildlife, or on a plane, quite possibly jumping out of it when the adrenaline junkie is at her best. She is the co-founder of Voyage Vixens. View author profile.

Comments (3)

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Julie says:

January 4, 2012 at 7:10 pm

This is my daughter’s film! Its fantastic and they need more help! They are fundraising on kickstarter to finish the movie. Please help them!

http://kck.st/uHYJ3s

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Hari Ziyad says:

January 5, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Every time I read more about this project I get more and more excited to see it. These are exactly the type of documentaries that I like and exactly the type that more people need to see. They are fundraising on kickstarter too, http://kck.st/uHYJ3s

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Sally says:

January 6, 2012 at 7:13 pm

I’ve heard a lot about this film from my friend! She is an NYU grad who told me about this film, and I’m really excited to see where it goes, as I am extremely passionate about traveling. Good luck to them, thanks for the awesome article!

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