Irish American documentary producer David McCourt sat down for a fireside chat with “Ocean’s Twelve” and “The Bourne Ultimatum” director George Nolfi at SXSW on Friday, where they discussed McCourt’s upcoming PBS documentary “Amerigo: The Search for the American Dream.”
As shown in a trailer that Variety can exclusively unveil, the film features interviews with people all over the United States who discuss the the concept of the American Dream, focusing especially on their ideas about work, opportunity, technology and community.
At the panel, McCourt asked the audience to raise their hands if they believed the American dream was alive and well. Half of the crowd responded. Another half raised their hands when he asked who felt unsure or worried about the American dream. When he asked if anyone thought the American dream was completely dead, no one raised their hands.
That cautious optimism is what “Amerigo” explores. “I am looking to hear what the American public has to say. In the movie, it’s it’s often it’s an optimistic story, but it’s an optimistic story hanging on by a thread,” McCourt said as he and Nolfi discussed the difficulties faced by people of all different socioeconomic and educational backgrounds while trying to find job stability and buy homes.
Getting personal, McCourt said, “My grandfather came to this grandfather at 16 years old, got a job as a janitor, bought a home and died debt-free. Is that possible anymore? For a schoolteacher, a police officer, a fireman, a nurse — is it still possible? And if not, is this still the country we want to live in?”
In the trailer for “Amerigo,” several people mention aspiring to “white picket fences” but not believing they’ll ever be able to buy a home. According to one woman, “If you’re growing into being a titan of industry, and more and more people are suffering, you’re not growing. You’re hoarding.”
But some interviewees sang a different tune. “You want a beer at 6:00 in the morning? The Beastie Boys fought for your right to do that,” says one man. “If we ever needed a battle hymn for the republic, it’s now,” McCourt says as the trailer ends.
McCourt isn’t done seeking out Americans’ stories. In tandem with “Amerigo” and timed to the 250th anniversary of the United States, McCourt’s production company is launching America-Dreams.com, where people can submit video messages about their own hopes for the country’s future. Some videos will be selected for a wider campaign tied to the movie. The web initiative is a partnership with South Florida PBS, Austin PBS, WVIA and American Public Television.
Dolores Fernandez Alonso, president and CEO of South Florida PBS, said in a statement: “To celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, we wanted to do something truly remarkable and invite all Americans to share their hope for the American Dream at America-Dreams.com. We are extremely proud of the cross-section of voices from across our nation – from different regions, generations, religions, and communities – and we want to capture these stories, experiences and perspectives so that people feel included in this historic national conversation.”
“Amerigo: The Search for the American Dream” premieres on PBS in June. The film is presented by See the trailer below.
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