what does
an
american?
mean to be
it
America Unfiltered is a raw, resonant road trip through a nation in flux. Over nine months, two immigrant filmmakers crisscrossed the U.S. – from desert outposts to the Capitol steps on January 6th to chaotic city corners – capturing the voices of everyday Americans.
With a knack for striking up conversations in unlikely places, they speak with gun shop owners, conspiracy theorists, grieving mothers, undocumented workers, small-town locals, and many others. The result: a textured, unvarnished portrait of a country reckoning with itself. America Unfiltered invites us to pause, listen–and find the unexpected threads that bind us.
With a knack for striking up conversations in unlikely places, they speak with gun shop owners, conspiracy theorists, grieving mothers, undocumented workers, small-town locals, and many others. The result: a textured, unvarnished portrait of a country reckoning with itself. America Unfiltered invites us to pause, listen–and find the unexpected threads that bind us.
"...a profound and moving exploration of the hall of mirrors that is America today..."
- Jeffrey Clifford
President, Heyday Films
President, Heyday Films
"We can't all drive around the country with cameras in hand to learn what makes strangers tick. But we can start with our block, and that's something."
- Brian Slattery,
New Haven Independent
New Haven Independent
"...an important film that truly shows the DNA of America."
- Ross Dinnerstein,
CEO Campfire Studios
CEO Campfire Studios
AUTHORS
Horacio Marquínez
Co-Creator, Writer-Director
Co-Creator, Writer-Director
Horacio has worked on independent films, commercials, and major motion pictures, collaborating with renowned directors, producers, and actors such as Robin Williams, Adrien Brody, Dolly Parton, Vera Farmiga, Mila Jovovich, and David Corenswet. He is the recipient of the Best Cinematography Award at the Milano International Film Festival. Born and raised ni Panama, Horacio moved to New York City, where he graduated from Columbia University's Film School, an institution where he has also taught.
There are many things that drive me most of which I can't put it into words. But there has always been one thing that sets the direction of my life and work - freedom.
Kirill Myltsev
Co-Creator, Writer-Director
Co-Creator, Writer-Director
What does it mean to be an American? On this journey, I’ve come to realize that language alone can’t capture the answer. It lies beyond words – in the wind on the highway, in the image, in the story, in the heart of every American.
Kiril is a highly regarded network/studio editor, originally from Moscow. He has a master's degree in film directing and holds an MBA from University of Moscow. He has edited over a dozen feature films in his native country of Russia and worked on dozens of international and American commercials and films. He lives in New York City.
Photo exhibition
and
STUDY GUIDE
Marc Brackett
Producer, America Unfiltered;
Founding Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Founding Director, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
EXHIBITION
America Unfiltered extends beyond the screen into a powerful black and white photography exhibition by Horacio Marquínez, offering an intimate, visual companion to the film’s cross-country journey. First presented at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New Haven, CT, the exhibition showcases striking portraits that cut across lines of race, class, gender, and region, revealing the layered and often unseen emotional lives of everyday Americans. Among Marquínez’s collection are striking images from the January 6 Capitol riot, presented as an immersive experience. Marquínez’s lens captures vulnerability and strength in equal measure, with subjects often gazing directly into the camera, inviting viewers into their worlds.
America Unfiltered extends beyond the screen into a powerful black and white photography exhibition by Horacio Marquínez, offering an intimate, visual companion to the film’s cross-country journey. First presented at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art in New Haven, CT, the exhibition showcases striking portraits that cut across lines of race, class, gender, and region, revealing the layered and often unseen emotional lives of everyday Americans. Among Marquínez’s collection are striking images from the January 6 Capitol riot, presented as an immersive experience. Marquínez’s lens captures vulnerability and strength in equal measure, with subjects often gazing directly into the camera, inviting viewers into their worlds.
STUDY GUIDED
Developed by Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and producer of America Unfiltered, this in-depth discussion guide invites viewers to reflect on the film’s central themes of identity, freedom, and belonging. Designed for classrooms, community groups, and film screenings, the guide features provocative questions across key topics – from political divides and gun culture to immigration, social justice, and the American Dream. It encourages meaningful dialogue by helping participants explore both individual experiences and our common humanity.
Download the guide to spark conversations that matter – about America, and about ourselves.
Developed by Dr. Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and producer of America Unfiltered, this in-depth discussion guide invites viewers to reflect on the film’s central themes of identity, freedom, and belonging. Designed for classrooms, community groups, and film screenings, the guide features provocative questions across key topics – from political divides and gun culture to immigration, social justice, and the American Dream. It encourages meaningful dialogue by helping participants explore both individual experiences and our common humanity.
Download the guide to spark conversations that matter – about America, and about ourselves.
America Unfiltered is a portrait of a country in conversation with itself – raw, messy, human, complicated, and beautiful. It’s a portrait of people longing to be seen, heard, and understood. As a psychologist and educator, I’ve spent my life helping others navigate emotions with greater empathy and clarity. This film does that on a national scale. It holds up a mirror – not to judge, but to connect us through our shared humanity.
Ely Center of Contemporary Art New Haven, CT
Kenneth Cole Gallery Chelsea, NYC
Ely Center of Contemporary Art New Haven, CT
Kenneth Cole Gallery Chelsea, NYC
Ely Center of Contemporary Art New Haven, CT
Kenneth Cole Gallery Chelsea, NYC
JAN 6
th
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
We knew that the media would focus on the spectacle which would shape the narrative they wanted to present one way or another. Let me be clear, I am not qualifying the politics of this event.
I wanted to keep my idea of getting to know people. I could not interview anyone, but I wanted to show what was happening from the inside out. I wanted to capture the faces, the expressions, the rage, the fear, the disappointment, the pain. I am short and everybody was towering over me, and my aim was for people to see in my photographs what I was seeing.
I wanted to keep my idea of getting to know people. I could not interview anyone, but I wanted to show what was happening from the inside out. I wanted to capture the faces, the expressions, the rage, the fear, the disappointment, the pain. I am short and everybody was towering over me, and my aim was for people to see in my photographs what I was seeing.
By photographing in black and white, I hoped to eliminate distractions and focus solely on the essence of each person and moment. These portraits are a selection of many made on the trip, inviting viewers to have a dialogue with the people and places we encountered.
