Watch American Winter

American Winter is a documentary film that tells the stories of eight different families living in the Portland metropolitan area, struggling to make ends meet during the Great Recession. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmakers Joe and Harry Gantz, the film offers a heartbreaking look at the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis that left millions of Americans jobless, homeless and living in poverty.

The documentary focuses on the real-life experiences of people who have been hit hard by the economic downturn, including former factory workers, single mothers, college graduates, and retirees. More than just a collection of sob stories, American Winter delves into the root causes of poverty in America, examining issues such as job insecurity, wage stagnation, debt, and the declining social safety net.

One of the film's most powerful scenes takes place in an emergency homeless shelter, where a man named Keith talks about his experiences of being laid off from his job as a welder and losing his home. The Gantz brothers capture Keith's raw emotions as he struggles to maintain his dignity in the face of extreme hardship. Other families featured in the film include a single mother with two young children, a retired couple living on a fixed income, and a couple with two autistic sons who are struggling to pay for their healthcare expenses.

Throughout the film, we see how these families are forced to make impossible choices as they try to survive on limited resources. Some have to choose between paying for rent or buying groceries. Others have to face the difficult decision of whether to buy medicine or put gas in their car. American Winter shows us the human toll of economic inequality in America, and how it affects people from all walks of life.

In addition to following the struggles of these families, the film also features interviews with economic experts, social workers, and politicians who provide context and analysis. These interviews offer important insights into the structural causes of poverty and the policy solutions that could help lift families out of poverty. The film also sheds light on the impact of cuts to social safety net programs, such as food stamps and unemployment benefits, on families who rely on these programs to make ends meet.

Overall, American Winter is a powerful and emotionally wrenching film that shines a light on the struggles of working-class families in America. It forces us to confront the harsh reality of poverty and economic inequality in our country, and challenges us to think about what we can do to create a more just and equitable society. Even though the film was released in 2013, its themes and messages are still relevant today, and it provides an important perspective on the ongoing struggles of millions of Americans.

American Winter is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.