Do you share the same values as your neighbor? That's 'The American Question'
Guy Seemann
evident   would you and your neighbors see eye to eye ? That ’ s the question " The American Question " ( produced by  Guy Seemann  and directed by James Kicklighter ) is intended to answer when it hits the festival circuit this year . The documentary film challenges Americans to stop blaming others about the current social and political climate and to question how their own decisions and actions shape the country . The film has taken  Seemann  and Kicklighter around the nation to ask questions about family   money and civics with the objective of getting viewers to consider whether divisions in our society stem from group dynamics or if we ' re all part of the problem as individuals . In a series of interviews   the film features dozens of Americans from across political   economic and social spectrums . A teaser for the production was released in November 2017 . From  director James Kicklighter and political scientist Guy Seemann  comes the story of a values crisis in America   the start of a national conversation about the effort to re - estab ... From  director James Kicklighter and political scientist Guy Seemann  comes the story of a values crisis in America   the start of a national conversation about the effort to re - estab ... SEE MORE VIDEOS “ American values are written down in the founding documents : the Constitution   Declaration of Independence   ” Seemann  said . “ Those values — concepts of opportunity and equality   different types of freedoms   concepts of hard work and the American dream … those are concepts they defined then and we still talk about today . Now   the real question is how are people defining those values for themselves today ? Are they defining them in the context that the founders had   or are people redefining them to the point where they see someone else as an enemy of those values ?” People exist now in their own bubbles of isolation   where it ’ s much easier for folks to peg others as enemies because “ we ’ re only listening to things   finding things and sharing things that only substantiate what we already believe  ” Kicklighter said . To break out of these bubbles   the duo believe   the majority of Americans need to agree and adhere to a baseline of values they think are the same as those of their neighbors . “ The American Question ” is that wake - up call to the country   said Seemann — a “ cautionary tale ” to the masses to not regress   but to progress . Kicklighter and Seemann use values as the foundation that joins individuals and community together . Less individual mindset   more connection . Less division   more community . “ Once you agree that you share the same value system with your neighbor   that ’ s when you actually see progress   that ’ s when you have mutual respect   and the community comes back together  ” Seemann said . “ If you can convince people this is a national concept   that everyone is pretty much in the same boat — that ’ s when you won ’ t want to be in your own bubble . You will challenge your own perspective and negative viewpoints .” The documentary team doesn ’ t consider its film revolutionary . Seemann and Kicklighter said academics like Robert Putnam   author of “ Bowling Alone  ” and Charles Murray   author of “ Coming Apart  ” have been foreshadowing the current political and social climate for years   but Kicklighter and Seeman are making a film with the hope that it will reach more eyes . After the film is completed this year   the pair would like a theatrical release in smaller locales as well as larger ones . The goal is to have enough of an impact   by melding data and emotion   to start a national conversation   Seemann and Kicklighter said . “ It is really tough to get more than 300 million people pointed in one direction and on the same page   but the value system continues to push us in the right direction  ” Seemann said . “ We want people to recognize ( what needs to be done ): Secure the founding values   execute them more properly . We all need to believe in this concept of freedom and equality for everyone   to move forward — we ’ ve been doing it incrementally for hundreds of years   so let ’ s keep pushing .” Kicklighter agrees . “ If you push the needle a little bit   that can make a positive impact on society  ” he said . “ My hope with this film is to give the audience an opportunity to maybe change the way their thought process is ( just an inch )  so they can hear someone else .” drockett @ chicagotribune . com Twitter @ DarcelTribune Related : ' Unrest ' puts spotlight on disease that affects millions   including Riverside girl   12 » After traveling around U . S . on $ 5 a day   ' Kindness Diaries ' author returning to Chicago » She persisted : 17 moments of women ' s empowerment in 2017 » The new year brings new opportunities   new adventures and new movies . For all you " read the book first " types   we ' ve rounded up some films to be released in 2018 that are based on novels .
evident   would you and your neighbors see eye to eye ? That ’ s the question " The American Question " ( produced by  Guy Seemann  and directed by James Kicklighter ) is intended to answer when it hits the festival circuit this year . The documentary film challenges Americans to stop blaming others about the current social and political climate and to question how their own decisions and actions shape the country . The film has taken  Seemann  and Kicklighter around the nation to ask questions about family   money and civics with the objective of getting viewers to consider whether divisions in our society stem from group dynamics or if we ' re all part of the problem as individuals . In a series of interviews   the film features dozens of Americans from across political   economic and social spectrums . A teaser for the production was released in November 2017 . From [TGT]comes the story of a values crisis in America   the start of a national conversation about the effort to re - estab ... From [TGT]comes the story of a values crisis in America   the start of a national conversation about the effort to re - estab ... SEE MORE VIDEOS “ American values are written down in the founding documents : the Constitution   Declaration of Independence   ” [TGT]said . “ Those values — concepts of opportunity and equality   different types of freedoms   concepts of hard work and the American dream … those are concepts they defined then and we still talk about today . Now   the real question is how are people defining those values for themselves today ? Are they defining them in the context that the founders had   or are people redefining them to the point where they see someone else as an enemy of those values ?” People exist now in their own bubbles of isolation   where it ’ s much easier for folks to peg others as enemies because “ we ’ re only listening to things   finding things and sharing things that only substantiate what we already believe  ” Kicklighter said . To break out of these bubbles   the duo believe   the majority of Americans need to agree and adhere to a baseline of values they think are the same as those of their neighbors . “ The American Question ” is that wake - up call to the country   said Seemann — a “ cautionary tale ” to the masses to not regress   but to progress . Kicklighter and Seemann use values as the foundation that joins individuals and community together . Less individual mindset   more connection . Less division   more community . “ Once you agree that you share the same value system with your neighbor   that ’ s when you actually see progress   that ’ s when you have mutual respect   and the community comes back together  ” [TGT] said . “ If you can convince people this is a national concept   that everyone is pretty much in the same boat — that ’ s when you won ’ t want to be in your own bubble . You will challenge your own perspective and negative viewpoints .” The documentary team doesn ’ t consider its film revolutionary . [TGT] and Kicklighter said academics like Robert Putnam   author of “ Bowling Alone  ” and Charles Murray   author of “ Coming Apart  ” have been foreshadowing the current political and social climate for years   but Kicklighter and Seeman are making a film with the hope that it will reach more eyes . After the film is completed this year   the pair would like a theatrical release in smaller locales as well as larger ones . The goal is to have enough of an impact   by melding data and emotion   to start a national conversation   [TGT] and Kicklighter said . “ It is really tough to get more than 300 million people pointed in one direction and on the same page   but the value system continues to push us in the right direction  ” [TGT] said . “ We want people to recognize ( what needs to be done ): Secure the founding values   execute them more properly . We all need to believe in this concept of freedom and equality for everyone   to move forward — we ’ ve been doing it incrementally for hundreds of years   so let ’ s keep pushing .” Kicklighter agrees . “ If you push the needle a little bit   that can make a positive impact on society  ” he said . “ My hope with this film is to give the audience an opportunity to maybe change the way their thought process is ( just an inch )  so they can hear someone else .” drockett @ chicagotribune . com Twitter @ DarcelTribune Related : ' Unrest ' puts spotlight on disease that affects millions   including Riverside girl   12 » After traveling around U . S . on $ 5 a day   ' Kindness Diaries ' author returning to Chicago » She persisted : 17 moments of women ' s empowerment in 2017 » The new year brings new opportunities   new adventures and new movies . For all you " read the book first " types   we ' ve rounded up some films to be released in 2018 that are based on novels .