State Humanities Councils

An understanding of where we come from, an acknowledgment of where we are, and the presence of mind to see where we’re headed—this is what the humanities offers us, and perhaps never so SOMETHING than through cinema. From the Native American reservation to the immigrant experience, from individual rebellion on an Illinois farmland to street-rioting in a New Jersey city, the eight documentaries in this series—all supported by one or more state humanities councils throughout the United States—create a captivating portrait of America over the past century. Each confronts a grand subject in the tradition of great documentary-making: by honing in on personal stories that most effectively, incisively, and powerfully convey the essence of that issue. Presented in collaboration with the Nebraska Humanities Council and Federation of State Humanities Councils, this series of eight documentaries will coincide with the 2009 Humanities Conference held in Omaha from November 5 – 8.