Something is definitely in the water in America!
In late October of 2020, we left Upstate New York on a three leg journey to visit more than half the country. We've spoken with individuals from states in the South, along the East Coast, through the Midwest, down the West Coast, and across the Southwest, to document and preserve people’s testimony at this unique juncture in history. It has been a fascinating discovery!
Amid a contentious election, a pandemic, and an economic downturn, Americans across our land have many concerns. From economic challenges, to political polarization, racial inequities, to healthcare hurdles, across ages, people are angry, hopeful, sad, feel betrayed, are depressed, optimistic, concerned, hurting, feel despair, and all of the above.
Depending of course, on what their individual and family situations and connection to history are, their viewpoints represent tremendous diversity, which is as we found, the great American experience. When we began this project, we had hoped to connect people by capturing this moment in our country’s history. While we had no pre-conceived ideas as to what people would say, we soon discovered, people were more than generous in expressing their thoughts on many subjects.
These sentiments mirrored the shared experiences that citizens, regardless of where they live, are feeling all across our land. As filmmakers, we were constantly surprised at their insight which was so thoughtful and deeply moving to us. The people we spoke to, the subjects they talked about, and the stories they relayed to us, reaffirmed what we had suspected before we began this project.
Americans everywhere have more things in common than the issues that divide us. And yet, is this commonality enough to heal a nation that is so deeply divided and wounded from years of tribalism and subversion? The answers to that question surprised us and we believe are essential to healing America.
We're honored to have the Center for Independent Documentary as our fiscal sponsor. They believe, as we do, that objective, independent documentary films play an important role in fostering dialogue around deeply complex social challenges.
Sincerely,
Jeri Wachter and Joseph C. Stillman, Producers
The “Something in the Water” documentary project
Jeri and Joseph in Washington, DC on January 20, 2021.
SUPPORT THIS FILM
We hope you feel as strongly about justice, equality, and the common dignity of every person in our country as we do. Be part of history by helping us to bring these important perspectives to light.
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY IS OUR FISCAL SPONSOR. TO MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTABLE CONTRIBUTION: Please make your check payable to the “The Center for Independent Documentary” and put “Something In The Water” in the memo line. Please mail your check to: The Center for Independent Documentary 1300 Soldiers Field Road, Suite #5 Boston, MA 02135.