A group of award-winning filmmakers have created this powerfully-immersive and fast-paced short documentary, which spans numerous decades of American innovation, music, technology, culture, social causes and sports. Created to inspire hope, and bring people together in a divided nation, the film is an urgent reminder that it’s our collective responsibility to cherish and preserve the American experiment... KEN BURNS: "We get so caught up in the politics of division that we forget what we’ve accomplished as a people. This short film is an antidote for despair, a reminder of who we are, The Original Badass. Find hope in what we’ve accomplished."

Director's Statement

We live in a divided nation full of hate, anger and chaos fueled by divisive political rhetoric, socio-economic disparity, rampant misinformation and wide-spread racism. In such a tumultuous time, we wanted to use our voices as filmmakers to bring people together and foster a sense of optimism and shared national pride. From the outset, we envisioned making a film that celebrated Americana and the modern American firsts in innovation, ingenuity and influence. Also, we wanted our film to evoke the nostalgia of the ubiquitous and popular Life magazine, and we used its thematic orange and white colors throughout the film.

Category: Documentary, Award Winner.

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