North Americans fell in love with the suburbs that spawled from the continent's post-WWII boom, and the pretty promises of "elbow room," family, ever-increasing prosperity, privacy, and almost unnaturally neat home environments. But with the 21st century forcing fossil-fuel demands above supplies, suburbs are threatened with radical change, or even extinction. The effects of the environment -- and other political, social, and economic pressures mean we have to consider the future of "The 'Burbs." Will their promised "American Dream" vanish? What can we do, individually and collectively, to avert disaster, and to have deeper quality of life?

A sequel to "End of Suburbia" where we discover the concept of "Peak Oil" and how we got there, "Escape from Suburbia" takes us further into the potential post-carbon world through the eyes of three ordinary people who are facing the issue in extraordinary ways. Also explored is how the small town of Willits in northern California is making a difference. Many people are making the connection of Peak Oil and our lifestyle, and turning to films like Escape from Suburbia as they look to discovering alternatives and creating a more responsible future.

94 min.
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society. -- imdb
A coming-of-age story about a "family" comprised of runaways and outcast punks. More than a special-interest feature on punk subculture, this film shows how society plays a part in these kids becoming "rejects" in the first place.