Eggshelland

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1h 40m | Documentary

In 1957, Ron Manolio and his suburban Cleveland family saved up a year's worth of eggshells, painted them, and placed them on their lawn for Easter morning passersby to enjoy. The attention generated by that not-so-simple act would change the lives of a family, a community, and thousands of strangers. Soon, the Manolios were transforming their front yard into a childlike dreamworld of color, fantasy and creativity with tens of thousands of eggshells. "Mom and Dad used to put a few eggs in the bushes to celebrate Easter. I guess I took it a little further," he says without a hint of knowing understatement.

Eggshelland is the story of Ron and Betty Manolio, and their unique, 52-year family tradition—a quirky, inspiring display of art and obsession. This independently produced feature-length documentary chronicles a year in their life, as they prepare their annual Eggshelland display. Celebrating Easter and Spring in their own unique way every year, the Manolios have brought joy to generations of Midwesterners waking from a long, gray winter. But "Eggshelland" is more than a suburban lawn display. It's a beautiful, funny, strange and poignant story of the many lives that have been touched, the never-ending joy of childhood in the Spring, and the resounding contentment of a life well-lived.