In late 2021, renowned filmmaker Barry Levinson and director Robert May set out to document a strikingly relevant issue in modern America: the pervasive political divide tearing communities apart.
After hearing The Daily podcast cover heated school board debates in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the duo set out to explore how tensions have reshaped this once closely-knit swing county.
Their journey ultimately led them to an unlikely focal point: two 14-year-old girls, Evi and Vanessa, whose enduring friendship stands firm despite their families’ opposing political ideologies.
Evi and Vanessa quickly became the heart of Levinson and May’s five-part docuseries, Bucks County, USA.
With the January 28 premiere of the first two episodes at the Sundance Film Festival, the series examines whether communities like Bucks County can draw inspiration from these teenagers and transcend their political differences.
The project avoids framing any side as right or wrong, instead focusing on the roots of conflict and the complexities of human relationships within a divided society.
As Levinson explained, the series is not about heroes and villains but about understanding how once-close-knit neighbors find themselves at odds.
This exploration of Bucks County politics is central to Barry Levinson’s vision for this compelling new project.
The docuseries’ focus on Evi and Vanessa emerged after an initial attempt to engage adults embroiled in the school board debates.
However, Levinson and May soon realized that the children caught in the crossfire offered a more compelling perspective.
Evi and Vanessa’s parents put their political clashes aside and permitted their daughters’ participation over the three years of filming.
Filming began in 2022 and continues as the team fine-tunes the remaining episodes for a spring release.
Through intimate observations, Bucks County, USA captures the raw, unfiltered behavior of its subjects without imposing a narrative slant. Levinson’s own childhood experiences informed his approach.
He recalled how political disagreements during the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon election never escalated into personal rifts in his community, contrasting sharply with the present climate.
This reflection shaped the series’ exploration of why differing viewpoints today often lead to outright hostility.
The result is a Bucks County movie that documents a divided community and examines the threads of humanity that can still connect us.
For Levinson and May, the documentary format offered the ideal medium for such an exploration.
Unlike dramatized narratives, which inherently lean toward creating tension, documentaries allow for a genuine portrayal of human interactions.
By presenting the lived realities of Bucks County residents, the series avoids editorializing or taking sides, instead leaving viewers to interpret the unfolding dynamics on their own terms.
Securing a Sundance premiere was a milestone for the project. According to May, the team recognized Sundance as an opportunity to reach an audience likely unaccustomed to hearing perspectives from both sides of the political spectrum.
Though initially uncertain about meeting the festival’s submission deadline, Levinson and May’s decision to prioritize completed episodes over early distribution deals paid off.
Ultimately, Bucks County, USA challenges viewers to reconsider how they engage with those who hold opposing views.
It’s less a documentary about politics and more a study of humanity, connection, and the resilience of friendship in the face of deep division.
As the series heads toward its broader release, it offers a glimmer of hope—a reminder that even in polarized times, common ground can still be found.
Barry Levinson’s new movie demonstrates the power of storytelling to bridge divides and spark meaningful conversations.
