A documentary about a search for common ground in America

"Something in the Water" is a stunning mosaic of America searching for common ground woven from the voices of 200 Americans during unprecedented challenges and changes. The filmmakers journeyed 16,500 miles to 30 states over 50 days between October 2020 and April 2021 to speak with people from all walks of life.

The documentary captures the stories of ordinary people who faced political division, police, and racial tensions, a sharp economic downturn, and a global pandemic that altered their lives. Their thoughts and perspectives reflect some of the most challenging issues of our time.  The film also reveals the resilience of America as the people's testimonies are not only filled with the challenging and critical issues we are facing in our country, but they are also of tremendous hope, pride, and love for the people and this place we call our country and our home. 

"Something in the Water" sparks respectful curiosity and fosters dialogue among its viewers to help bridge misunderstandings. It explores American perspectives around racism, economic disparities, democracy, leadership, the Black Lives Matter movement, the American Dream, COVID-19, and finding common ground. The film is 100 minutes long.

The "Something in the Water" documentary is an Important Films Media production.

Joseph C. Stillman (Producer/Director) is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, director, cinematographer, and writer. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Stillman brings more than four decades of filmmaking experience to the creation of substantive documentary films, Motion Pictures, Television programming, and other video and film projects for clients from around the world. Documentary works include the internationally acclaimed, "Citizen Clark... A Life of Principle", the story of former U.S. Attorney General and Human Rights activist Ramsey Clark, and "Rural Matters: Poverty in the Other America," A consummate artist dedicated to human rights and social justice, Stillman's works have been seen around the globe.

Jeri Wachter (Producer/Director) is an NYC and Southern-raised filmmaker, producer, director, researcher, camerawoman, and speaker. She creates films and events  to inform and inspire action toward positive societal change. Recent documentary works include the award-winning "Something in the Water," a film about finding common ground in America, and "Rural Matters: Poverty in the Other America," an intimate portrait of people living on the edge of economic insecurity. She brings over two decades of experience in the worldwide scientific, technical, and scholarly publishing industry, as an advocate for equity in the workplace, and for twenty years, as co-founder/chair of William Andrew Publishing, an independent publisher in disciplines including materials, energy, and ecology.

Americans across our land have many concerns, and depending, of course, on their individual and family situations and connection to history, their viewpoints represent tremendous diversity, which is, as we found, the great American experience.  As filmmakers, we take this responsibility seriously and are confident that our film offers an opportunity to learn from others what we don’t often get a chance to see.

The film sparks dialogue, a sense of respectful curiosity, and an atmosphere of caring deeply about our fellow Americans; thus, engaging viewers to begin a process to bridge misunderstandings about each other and around challenging and critical issues in our country.

It is 100 minutes long and intended for broad audiences, ages 14-103, in high schools, colleges, and universities, businesses and organizations, legislative policymakers, and where communities across our land can screen and hold forums. 

Closed Captioning (CC) is available.

Reach out if you'd like  to learn about upcoming screenings in 2023,  or to inquire about adding to your collections,  licensing, and filmmaker events.

 Email  info@importantfilmsmedia.com. 

To license "Something in the Water" please include the following information in your email:

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