Documentary ‘Agatha’s Almanac’ Highlights the Simple Life of 92-Year-Old Farmer in Manitoba

The award-winning documentary *Agatha’s Almanac* offers an intimate look into the life of 92-year-old Agatha Bock, who continues to maintain her ancestral family farm in southern Manitoba. Directed by filmmaker and niece Amalie Atkins, the film has received national and international acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of endurance, simplicity, and tradition. Bock lives on the farm each year from May until the first snowfall, without modern conveniences such as running water or a mobile phone. Her devotion to tending the garden and preserving her parents’ legacy reflects both her independence and her connection to the land. The documentary’s success includes winning Best Canadian Feature Documentary at Hot Docs 2025, and it was the only documentary included in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Top 10 Canadian Features list. The film took six years to complete on 16-mm film, thoughtfully capturing the rhythm and texture of Bock’s daily life. Atkins, now based in Saskatoon, created the film partly as a tribute to her childhood memories of the property. Through Bock’s quiet routines and philosophical reflections — like her belief that “we’re all here only for a season” — the documentary explores themes of mortality, resilience, and the beauty of self-sufficiency. The film is currently screening across Canada and will soon reach audiences in six other countries, including Japan, Taiwan, and Belgium.