The American Question, a feature documentary film from James Kicklighter released at the end of last month, explores the historical and contemporary factors that have eroded Americans’ trust in neighbors, communities, institutions, and government.Narrated by political analyst Guy Seeman, the film explores diverse communities in Pennsylvania and. Michigan, with analysis from “leading political scientists and historians.” I’m happy to have been invited to be among them.
The American Question is available to stream on all major platforms, including Prime Video and Apple iTunes, where it was the number one documentary in the U.S. shortly after its release. It includes appearances from Yuval Levin (The Fractured Republic), Tania Israel (Beyond Your Bubble), Amy Chua (whose deeply-flawed book I roasted in The Washington Post) and yours truly. It seeks to answer the pressing question: can America rediscover its unifying values and restore trust among its people?
Film Threat’s reviewer said: “The best documentaries present the facts, offer commentary, and let you decide where you stand. The American Question goes a step further and offers hope.” Cinemacy’s called it “an enlightening, non-partisan look at an incredibly sensitive and timely issue. James Kicklighter doesn’t just ask the question to create provocative soundbites. He actually leaves audiences with actionable steps to depolarize America. We are in desperate need of a better path forward, and The American Question is a great first step.”
The executive producer was S. Asher Gelman (Sabbath Queen, Afterglow). The director of photography is Jonathan Pope (Emmy® Award Nominee, The Social Dilemma), edited by Mohamed El Manasterly (Emmy® Award Winner, “Welcome to Wrexham,” The Square), James Kicklighter, J.D. Sievertson, ACE (“The Chi,” “Cosmos”) and Carlos Puga (Emmy® Award Winner, “True Life”), featuring an original score by Nicolas Repetto (The Sound of Identity, A Run for More) and original animation by Filmograph (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Joker: Folie à Deux, John Wick).
COLIN WOODARD is a New York Times bestselling author, historian and award-winning journalist. He is the author of seven books that have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and inspired an NBC television drama. He is currently Director of Nationhood Lab at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Affairs at Salve Regina University. As State and National Affairs Writer at Maine's Portland Press Herald, he won a 2012 George Polk Award and was a finalist for a 2016 Pulitzer Prize. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, The Economist, Smithsonian and dozens of other major publications.