The American Question

A feature-length documentary about the issues concerning unity in contemporary America, directed by James Kicklighter and written by James Kicklighter, Guy Seemann and Lucy Copp.

This intriguing documentary provides a deep insight into the crisis that is threatening political and economic stability in the United States. The film suggests that the United States has reached a point where its citizens are becoming increasingly divided and it investigates the reasons behind this by looking into American politics, immigration, globalisation, polarization and the American Dream.

Presenting and narrating is Guy Seemann, a political analyst who has lived in Israel and has been working in campaigns and government since his teens. His attempts to find answers regarding the problems that are dividing America make him focus on three cities that seem to represent these problems: Erie, Hazleton and Detroit, three communities that are facing high unemployment and crime. As he travels, Seemann interviews a variety of individuals who have knowledge regarding what is happening in the U.S. and why. Some of these people are gym owner, Joseph Orengia, Professor of Psychology Tania Israel, PhD, journalist Colin Woodard, pharmacist John Keegan and army veteran Kyle McChesney. Along with the interviewees, the documentary contains footage of politicians and old footage of campaigns and riots. The filmmakers make frequent use of animation in order to visualise the narration and it usually involves the map of the United States. All this is supported by Nicolas Repetto's dramatic and dynamic score and special mention goes to the animated montage that opens the film.

The viewing experience is informative and the subjects are thoroughly explored. However, some viewers might doubt whether certain or all of the issues presented in this documentary are the actual factors behind instability in the United States.

As the feature explores the ways in which American citizens are becoming more and more diverse between them, it ends up looking into a number of subjects including a crumbling economy, demographic changes, immigration, xenophobia, inequality, polarization, globalisation, crime and unemployment. It is implied that the reason for these are a lack of communication and collaboration.

This documentary reveals major problems that exist in the United States today and are significantly affecting the country in general, turning it into a place where people are split into groups and are not united as a whole. Generally, it presents an image of a country that seems to have lost its way and whose future appears to be in jeopardy.