Every day we hear people in the United States invoke what they believe has been an enduring national commitment to enhancing and defending people's "freedoms." Of course the history of that commitment is complicated. Living in the U.S. has provided to millions of people tangible benefits and freedoms--political, economic, intellectual, and personal. But living here has also denied to millions of people basic freedoms and the opportunity to remain self-sufficient, independent, and safe. It is not surprising that Americans disagree about what the term "freedom" describes and that these differences have produced enduring conflicts. Nor is it surprising that most view their vision and assumptions--about rights, privilege, opportunity, fairness--as reflecting the impulses that have, at the best of times, fueled this national tradition. But why, given these differences, do people talk about the defense of "freedom" in the U.S. as if it had a shared history or meaning?

To explore this, I am filming conversations with people around the country about both the idea and the experience of freedom in the United States. People are understandably protective of privileges and opportunities that they have secured and they are troubled about those that they view as deserved but out of reach. And so what do people mean when they insist that the U.S. has a tradition of securing and protecting people's "freedoms"? Why do they disagree about so many of the details of this story? And given these profound disagreements, why does the impulse to invoke a common national project and a shared history or mission remain so influential?

The story in American Freedoms will be told, literally, by the hundreds of individuals who agree to an interview. Their voices alone will narrate, without "experts" (or the film maker) commenting directly on the content. And because so many people will be featured, none will get extensive screen time. The film won't "profile" speakers, highlight their views or life stories, or pass judgement on freedom's many meanings and histories. The result will be a patchwork of conversations in which people introduce their experiences, understandings, and convictions, some that will be familiar to viewers and others that will no doubt surprise or confuse. The film will invite viewers to put competing ideas about American freedoms—freedoms imagined, aspired to, and realized—in conversation with their own.

To learn more about the project and the filmmaker or to inquire about participating, click the links above.

American Freedoms