Virginia Film Festival

As the 2020 election approaches, political divisions in the United States are at a near all-time high, cutting across every aspect of our society, our communities, our workplaces, our friends, and even our own families. Award-winning filmmaker Ben Rekhi introduces audiences to a growing movement of those working tirelessly to build bridges across the divide. Based on author Mark Gerzon’s book of the same title, this powerful documentary introduces audiences to a collection of changemakers, including Charlottesville’s Susan Bro, whose daughter Heather Heyer was tragically killed in the infamous 2017 Unite the Right Rally, and who has worked tirelessly against hate ever since. Other subjects include Steven Olikara, the founder of the Millennial Action Project, a bipartisan coalition of 1,500 young lawmakers; Greg Orman, an independent that ran for Governor of Kansas in 2018, and David and Erin Leaverton, a Republican couple so disturbed by the 2016 election they sold their house, packed their family in an RV, and traveled the country to hear first-hand stories from those different from them. Discussion with director Ben Rekhi; author and subject Mark Gerzon; and subjects Susan Bro, David & Erin Leaverton, and Steven Olikara; moderated by Daniel Fairley (Charlottesville Youth Opportunity Coordinator) to follow.

The Reunited States is part of the Spotlight on Virginia Filmmaking presented by Virginia Film Office