... the filmmakers capture this spectacularly unique moment in history from a multitude of perspectives, force us out of our respective echo-chambers, and give us a better and more empathetic understanding of the world around us."
Mira Simon, Center for Independent Documentary
Inspired by a dark and critically important period in the recent history of the United States, between October 2020 and April 2021, the “Something in the Water” documentary is created in the spirit of keeping democracy along the search for common ground.
It’s the story of America told through the eyes of a diverse group of people from across the United States who are struggling to understand and rationalize the ideologies that divide them as they live through a contentious Presidential election, the reckoning of historical truths, nationwide social unrest, and the unfathomable loss of so many lives.
And yet, despite the obstacles they are confronted with, their collective testimonies paint a mosaic of a country that is as rich and varied as its people, bringing hope to the promise of America and to help heal the wounds of a fractured nation.
The "Something in the Water" documentary is the third Wachter/Stillman collaboration.
Joseph C. Stillman (Producer/Director) is an award-winning filmmaker, dedicated to human rights and social justice issues. Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, 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 and Director, Stillman's projects have been seen around the globe.
Jeri Wachter (Producer/Director) is a Georgia born, NYC and Southern raised filmmaker, consultant, and public speaker, producing films and events to illuminate and inspire action toward positive social change. Other works-in-progress include "Rural Matters: Poverty in the Other America". Previously, she spent more than two decades in scientific and technical publishing, as a leading advocate to advance DEI in the workplace, and for twenty years, as cofounder/chair of William Andrew Publishing, a publisher of major works in fields such as materials, energy, and ecology.
Americans across our land have many concerns and 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. 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.
This work is intended for broad audiences, ages 14-103, in high schools, colleges and universities, as well as individuals at all levels in businesses and organizations, legislative policy makers, and where communities across our land can screen and hold forums.
Keep an eye out for news about upcoming film festivals near you in 2022. Send us an email to be sure you're on our list for announcements. We'd love to hear from you.
The “Something in the Water” documentary is inspired by the American spirit during a dark and critically important period in the recent history of the United States. Set between October 2020 and April 2021, Americans everywhere were facing an acute and permanent change to the very structures of their social, domestic, and working lives. Whole communities across the country were struggling through confusion, fear, and grief while reckoning with historical truths, and the implications of a polarized nation. The film celebrates the extraordinary diversity of the American people and seeks to find common ground, amid political division, social unrest, and a global pandemic.
It is an immersive, and historical portrayal of the American experience through a non-binary and empathetic lens, as the collective testimonies of two-hundred people in thirty states, representing all regions of the U.S., bring real hope to this story about a country ridden with negativity and cynicism that are deeply embedded in the very social fabric of our daily lives.
The film is a compelling, illuminating, and moving experience that elicits from the viewer a closer examination of the same questions our subjects discuss. It helps us to face uncomfortable truths from America’s past, as well as the admirable strengths of present-day Americans, with outcomes that have affected a redefined democracy as a result. As filmmakers, we believe in the power of diverse voices to foster dialogue, raise hope, and bring positive change to some of the most challenging issues of our time.
Jeri Wachter and Joseph C. Stillman, Directors, The "Something in the Water" documentary
In December 2020, we spoke with Darrell Gunter about our inspiration for the film. After this interview, we continued our journey over 16,500 miles and spoke with two-hundred Americans in thirty states about the state of our nation. Keep an eye out for announcements about screenings at film festivals near you in 2022.
Special thanks to:
The Major’s Inn, Gilbertsville, NY, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), New Orleans, LA, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Bark Productions, Kansas City, MO, East Rock Creek Village, Washington, DC, Hire Art, New York, NY, Braver Angels, USA, Chagrin Documentary Film Fest, Chagrin Falls, OH, The Unitarian Universalist Church, Rockford, IL, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, MN, Northland Country Club, Duluth, MN, UU Church of Fargo Moorhead, Fargo, ND, Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa, Belcourt, ND, The Roman Theatre, Red Lodge, MT, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Salt Lake City, UT, John Scott Real Estate, Des Moines, WA, Answer Coalition, San Francisco, CA, East Bay Media Center, Berkley, CA, Kingston 11 Cuisine, Oakland, CA, First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, J Feldman Studio, Albuquerque, NM, El Paso Community Foundation, El Paso, TX, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, The Park Foundation, Ithaca, NY, Center for Independent Documentary, Boston, MA
Special, special thanks to:
Gaila Reyna-Arguell, Jamie Azure, Bob Babcock, Robert Blanton, Reginald Bullock Jr., Elizabeth & Brian Burns, April Chatham-Carpenter, Tamara Childs, Lisa & Ruel Cowles, Wanda Davis, Paul Driftmier, Leigh Eckmair, Maria Farrington, Phil Farrington, JoAnn & Lee Fisher, John Feldman, Christopher Forbes, Ben & Diana Friedell, Bev Gibbons, John Gill, Terry Gomez, Patricia Griffith, Roberta Griffith, Mimi Grolund, Darrell Gunter, Cathy Hamilton, Christine Heller, Tony Hettler, Bev Hoffman, Nigel Jones, Kelly Kimball, Gloria LaRiva, Ron Lee, Kim Martinson, Peter Matthes, Deborah Merola, Robert Moreno, Diane Moseley, Shelley Moskowitz, Jim Mullowney, Barry Murphy, Kelly Noack, Eliza Oprea, Danny Ordner, Adelaide Gomer-Park, Chris Peters, Richard Pineda, Adan Plascencia, Mary Ann Ponce, Andy Puritz, Dave Rabin, Ilene Resnick, Robert Rosellini, CeCe Rowe, Jordy Sargent, Betsy Scanlin, Jack Schluep. Mark Schotte, Barbara Siesel, Ellie Stromberg, Keith Torgan, Joan Turbidy, Mel Vapour, Arthur & Lois Wachter, Beth Weinstein, Brenda Williams, Teresa Winchester, Joe & Shelley Whitworth, Aidan Woishnis
This project would not have come this far without you!
"Something in the Water"
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