Tiny: A Story About Living Small

Tiny: A Story About Living Small is a heartfelt, inspiring, and thought-provoking documentary that explores the modern small house movement, an architectural and social trend that advocates for living in homes that are considerably less than the average American home. The film investigates this movement by following people who choose to reject conventional big-house models in favor of minimalistic, eco-friendly tiny homes. The documentary premiered in 2013, spotlighting characters such as Daryl Gibson, Merete Mueller, and Jay Shafer, each bringing their unique perspective and reasoning to the tiny living movement.

One of the film’s strong points is its commitment to humanizing and fleshing out the subjects, highlighting their reasons and motivations behind joining the tiny house movement. The film focuses on the personal journeys of Gibson, Mueller, and Shafer and their decision to follow a minimalistic lifestyle. It delves into the financial freedom, ecological consciousness, and simplified lifestyle that comes with occupying a tiny home.

Daryl Gibson is a real estate broker who gives up his gig and chooses to lead an off-grid lifestyle. He serves as a passionate guide through the world of tiny homes, highlighting individuals who have embarked on the journey before him. Mueller, as an editor and aspiring writer, provides audience valuable insight into character motivations for opting for small houses. Jay Shafer is perhaps the most engaging character, being one of the pioneers of the tiny house movement in the US. His personal insights and experience add validity and depth to the movement.

Much of the film’s focus lies on the process of building one of these tiny houses, working on design principles, and seeing architects playing with the concept of minimum space. The audience witnesses Gibson and Mueller building their 124-square-foot home from scratch in Colorado over a span of a year, wrestling with building codes, the impact of the weather, and the learn-on-the-go process of constructing a tiny home, offering a firsthand account of what it means 'to live small.'

However, Tiny: A Story About Living Small does not merely delve into the practicalities and logistical challenges of living in a small house, but it also delves deep into the mindset and philosophy behind the movement. The movie poses pertinent questions about consumption, space, and the essence of a home.

It presents to the viewers a unique universe where personal belongings are kept to a bare minimum, and rooms rarely serve a single purpose. Ensuring that every inch counts, these houses are designed with pragmatism and efficiency, often showcasing impressive examples of multifunctional furniture and innovative space management.

Throughout this inspiring documentary, viewers are treated to a variety of innovative design solutions that enable these tiny homes to be both functional and comfortable. The film does a remarkable job of highlighting the beauty of simplicity and resourcefulness that comes hand in hand with living small.

One of the significant themes of the documentary is the notion of 'home.' What home means to different people and how the definition of home changes when it is scaled down to "tiny" proportions. It ignites an interesting dialogue about the idea of home not being tied down to a specific location or size but a state of mind and perception.

Tiny: A Story About Living Small is beautifully shot, capturing breathtaking backgrounds of American landscapes, contrasting the vast openness of the countryside with the tiny living spaces. The amazing cinematography complements the film's philosophical leanings and contributes to the inspirational character of this unique documentary.

Overall, 'Tiny: A Story About Living Small' offers a fresh perspective in contradicting cultural norms when it comes to defining success, wealth, and happiness. It takes viewers on a profound, introspective journey, inviting them to consider how much space they really need to be comfortable and happy. This indie documentary transforms our perception of living spaces, making us reimagine our priorities and the way we view the art of living.