The Hermit of Treig

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The Hermit of Treig

2025

1h 19m

Documentary

Biography

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Popcornmeter

100%

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8 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A meticulous diarist and avid photographer, Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands, living alone in a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as 'the lonely loch'. He has no electricity or running water. He lives off the land, fishing for his supper, chopping wood, and even brewing his own tipple. Filmed over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie poetically captures Ken's profound, spiritual relationship with the wilderness: "If you love the land, it loves you back". Now in his 70s, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature in this humorous, transcendent and life affirming feature documentary.

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

03/27/2022

4/5

[A] lovely, compassionate documentary...

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Phuong Le

Guardian

03/21/2022

3/5

When a film-maker is clearly captivated by their subject, the film can compel viewers to fall in love as well.

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Mark Jackson

Epoch Times

Apr 11

4/5

If you're a fan of wilderness writer Farley Mowat and fly-fisherman-author John Gierach, you'll enjoy this documentary about Scottish hermit-author Ken Smith.

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Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

Apr 3

Spellbinding, provocative and heartfelt.

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Christopher Stevens

Daily Mail (UK)

05/26/2022

5/5

Portrays a man with a touch of poetry in his soul, who is apparently immune to loneliness.

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

03/27/2022

4/5

There are things to be learnt from his lifestyle and his appreciation of nature, but the film doesn’t preach: it’s merely a portrait of an individual.

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Apr 5

Beautifully shot, gorgeous cinematography with an awesome soundtrack. Ken’s minimal life is made into a magical and esoteric tour de force. The director deserves an Oscar. I want to bring friends and see it again.

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Richard B

@RichardB12314 Oct 22

Interesting short documentary about a man who preferred adventure to city dwelling. He lived on the edge of civilization while still requiring some modern inventions, such as a pension, mail, radio, and hospitals. The lesson is to live with the acceptance of death and take care of your mind by immersing yourself in nature as much as you can.

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Roger B

Sep 21

Beautiful photography. Nice story. Interesting life. A little boring for me.

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Joe H

01/04/2024

An interesting and heart warming tale, I only wish a longer cut was available that delved more into Ken's past and his early years in his cabin.

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Lizzie MacKenzie

Director

Ken Smith

Self

Naomi Spiro

Producer

Lizzie MacKenzie

Cinematographer

Ling Lee

Film Editor

Mischa Stevens

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Synopsis

A meticulous diarist and avid photographer, Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands, living alone in a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as 'the lonely loch'. He has no electricity or running water. He lives off the land, fishing for his supper, chopping wood, and even brewing his own tipple. Filmed over 10 years, director Lizzie Mackenzie poetically captures Ken's profound, spiritual relationship with the wilderness: "If you love the land, it loves you back". Now in his 70s, Ken reflects upon the reasons he turned his back on society, the vulnerability of old age and the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature in this humorous, transcendent and life affirming feature documentary.

Director: Lizzie MacKenzie
Producer: Naomi Spiro
Distributor: Monkey Wrench Films
Production Co: Aruna Productions
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 4, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 19m

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