Biosphere 2 was a unique experiment in 1991 in which a group of people set about creating a replica of the Earth’s biosphere. Led by idealist and environmentalist John Allen, the group built the unit on a three acre site in Arizona and eight people were to live in it for two years. A terrific insight into idealism versus reality as the experiment began with huge optimism but ultimately fell foul to human intervention and harsh scientific realities.

This striking film on an idealistic era offers great stimulus for discussions of utopias, sustainability and community.