"Something in the Water"

Inspired by one of the most turbulent periods in the recent history of the United States, the “Something in the Water” documentary project was created in the spirit of keeping democracy alive by capturing the nuances, perspectives, and experiences of Americans from all across the country.

It's the story of America set against the backdrop of a contentious 2020 Presidential election and in the midst of a global pandemic. Between October 2020 and April 2021, our project team traveled more than 16,500 miles, in three legs and interviewed 195 people in 30 states over 50 days. 

When completed, this documentary will present an unbiased historical portrayal of a country struggling to understand and rationalize the ideologies that divide its people. And yet, despite the obstacles that confront it, the promise of the ‘American Dream’ is still alive and prospering, offering hope to heal the wounds of a fractured nation. 

The "Something in the Water" documentary is the third collaboration between filmmakers Jeri Wachter and Joseph C. Stillman.

If you'd like to get involved, please contact hope@somethinginthewater.today.

Joseph C. Stillman (Producer/Director) is an award-winning filmmaker, focused on human rights and social justice issues. He has spent forty-six years producing, directing, shooting, writing, and editing motion pictures and documentary films during the course of his career.  His recent works include the internationally acclaimed feature documentary, "Citizen Clark... A Life  of Principle," the story of former U.S. Attorney General and Human Rights activist, Ramsey Clark and "From Mills River to Babylon and Back... The Jimmy Massey Story."  As an Emmy winning, Oscar nominated and Best Documentary Film Producer/Director, Stillman's projects have been seen around the globe. 

Jeri Wachter (Producer) is a producer, filmmaker, consultant and public speaker utilizing research, communications, and advocacy to educate, engage and drive positive social change. Other “works in progress” include "Rural Matters; Poverty in the Other America" a documentary addressing the impact of social and economic inequities in three counties in Upstate New York. Previously, she cofounded the Workplace Equity Project, a worldwide initiative in scholarly publishing.  In 1989, she cofounded William Andrew Publishing, an applied science publisher of leading works in fields such as materials, energy, and ecology, for twenty years. 

Our project sheds light on the remarkable diversity across our nation, and through the testimony of fellow Americans, the film sparks a dialogue from which every person, can begin a process that bridges the divisions in our country and the angst that exists as a result.

As filmmakers, we take the 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. This work is best suited for public television, high schools, institutions of higher learning, policy makers, and where communities across our land can screen and hold forums.

Joseph and Jeri in Las Cruces, New Mexico in March 2021.