Independent Lens Season 12 Episode 7 45365

45365 is the seventh episode of season 12 of Independent Lens, a documentary series that showcases independent films and their filmmakers. The episode is named after the zip code of Sidney, Ohio, the small town in which the film takes place.

45365 is a mesmerizing and intimate portrait of life in a small Midwestern town, filmed by Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross over the course of nine months. The film explores the daily lives of the town’s residents, from the mundane to the profound. With no narrator and no interviews, the film simply observes and captures the moments that make up daily life.

The film opens with a montage of shots of Sidney, Ohio, from dawn until dusk. The Ross brothers use a mix of handheld and steady-cam shots to capture the town’s architecture, landmarks, and landscapes. As the day progresses, the film transitions into the daily routines of the town’s residents.

We see a high school football game, the county fair, a wedding, a funeral, and a police department briefing. We see a man sharing his poetry at an open mic night, a woman getting a tattoo, a barber cutting hair, and a girl riding her bike through town. We see an elderly couple reminiscing about their past, a young couple discussing their future, and a man repairing his car in his driveway. What emerges is a beautiful tapestry of the lives that intersect in 45365.

The film is not plot-driven, and there is no explicit narrative arc. Instead, the Ross brothers use mood, atmosphere, and editing to convey the rhythms of life in a small town. The soundtrack also plays a crucial role in the film, with a blend of ambient noise and music that enhances the emotional resonance of each scene.

One of the film’s strengths is its sense of ambiguity. The Ross brothers avoid easy cliches and stereotypes, opting instead for a more nuanced and complex portrait of their subjects. There are moments of joy and humor, but also moments of sadness and loss. We see glimpses of the town’s history and culture, but also its present-day struggles and challenges.

Despite its observational style, 45365 is an incredibly immersive film. The Ross brothers use visual and aural details to create a fully-realized world that feels both familiar and alien. There are moments of stunning beauty, such as a sunset over a cornfield, as well as moments of heartbreak and despair.

Ultimately, the film is a tribute to the power of documentary filmmaking. By focusing on the everyday lives of ordinary people, the Ross brothers create a portrait of America that is both specific and universal. 45365 is a film that asks us to pause and reflect on the moments that make up our lives, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around us.