Minnesota

What is it that ties us to the state where we currently live and adopt it as the one we're "from"? How does living in our states define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the landscape in the places they call home.

Living on an island in the Mississippi River has always drawn Kathy to seek inspiration and peace from its banks. Despite thinking adulthood would take her far from her small town home she grasps life as an explorer here, finding hidden charms and meaning at every turn. Photography and preservation allow her to weave each new experience into a fresh perspective.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Minnesota is directed by Brad Barber & Susan Krueger-Barber, shot by Brad Barber, edited by Stephanie Cook, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis.

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Illinois

What is it that ties us to the state where we currently live and adopt it as the one we're "from"? How does living in our states define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the landscape in the places they call home.

13 years ago, after finishing college in Minnesota, going back home to Texas, then volunteering in Mexico, Nathan felt adrift. He set out to ride his bike across the United States on a voyage of self-discovery but only made it as far as Chicago, where he found the sense of belonging and contentment he had been looking for, in the Prairie State.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Illinois is directed and shot by Brad Barber, edited by Jessica Bryant, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis.

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Missouri

What is it that connects us to the state where we live?  What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home.  This is a story of Missouri.

Sarah's ancestors helped found the state of Missouri and she has always felt strong roots connecting her to the land once home to frontier women and men. After a life-changing illness led her to reassess everything, she is now busy building a new type of homestead on her own frontier.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Missouri is directed by Brad Barber & Susan Krueger-Barber, shot by Brad Barber, edited by Jared Jakins, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis

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Wisconsin

What is it that connects us to the state where we live?  What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home.  This is a story of Wisconsin.

Xong was born in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand but moved to Wisconsin as a child after her family couldn't safely return to Laos following the Vietnam War. There she grew up as part of a large influx of twice dislocated Hmong refugees who were not always welcomed with open arms in the small city of La Crosse. Despite her experiences with racism, poor integration, and detachment from her own culture, Xong is determined to help the younger generation born in America stay connected.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Wisconsin is directed by Brad Barber & Susan Krueger-Barber, shot by Brad Barber, edited by Shelly Rose & Jared Jakins, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis

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Iowa

What is it that connects us to the state where we live?  What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home. This is a story of Iowa.

Since apprenticing for a retired fiddler after college, Beth has grown into an unassuming cultural staple within her community. Working at the Co-op by day and fronting her folk band by night, each year she performs at a festival celebrating the midwest's vast Scandinavian ancestry.  Her act draws hundreds of townspeople and visitors from across the region, teaching them to dance together in a scene of simple pageantry, unity, and wonder.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Iowa is directed by Brad Barber & Susan Krueger-Barber, edited by Shelly Rose, shot by Brad Barber, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis.

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Nevada

What is it that connects us to the state where we live?  What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home.  This is a story of Nevada.

Though Clay's desire to help others as a paramedic drove his life, his son's suicide prompted a retreat from Tennessee to a remote corner of the Nevada desert. Here he's gradually found a role in a trailer park community that helps him heal through a revived yet fragile sense of public service.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Nevada is directed by Stephen V. Nelson & Brad Barber, edited by Kelyn Ikegami and Laura Smith, shot by Laura Smith & Stephen V. Nelson, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis.

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Arizona

What is it that ties us to the state where we currently live and adopt it as the one we're "from"? How does living in our states define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the landscape in the places they call home. This is a story of Arizona.

LaVona was born on the same day Arizona became a state--100 years ago. Naturally, she’s felt her own identity has always been tied to her state, and between parades and parties celebrating their joint centennial, she shares her ideas on what has kept her in her small rural community for a century. 

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber
*Arizona is directed by Brad Barber, edited by Wayne Nilsson, shot by Wayne Nilsson and Brad Barber, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis.

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North Carolina

What is it that connects us to the state where we live? What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home. This is a story of North Carolina.

Growing up in a shack in the Jim Crow south, Paul dreamt of someday owning his own home. His dream came true, but no sooner did he move in than at the age of 20 he had to move to New Jersey to make enough to pay for it. 21 years later, after his wife passed away, he finally returned to the house he built and this state that had always felt like home.

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber. 
*North Carolina is directed by Brad Barber, shot by Jesse Myrick and Brad Barber, edited by Jesse Myrick, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis. 

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Utah

What is it that connects us to the state where we live?  What makes us adopt it as the one we're "from"? How do these places define us? States of America is a series of short documentaries--one from each of our 50 states--that ask these questions by featuring everyday people as diverse as the physical and cultural landscapes they call home. This is a story of Utah.

Daniel lives in a cave in the breathtaking canyons outside Arches National Park. A middle-aged former Peace Corps volunteer and social worker, he disavowed the use of money in any form 10 years ago and believes that wherever we are at any given moment is our home. 

*States of America is created and produced by Brad Barber. 
*Utah is directed and edited by Brad Barber, co-produced by Susan Krueger-Barber, shot by Mike West and Brad Barber, with music by Micah Dahl Anderson and Travis Pitcher. Title design by Brian Turley and Mark T. Lewis. 

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