5 Films for Viewing on the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America

Written by Olivia Hodgson and Amber O’Toole for the Woodstock Film Festival 

The past 250 years of American history have been marked by beauty and courage, but also by discrimination, hardship, and despair. It is difficult to capture the essence of such a vast country, but American cinema has continued to expand over the decades, fostering individual cinematic voices that contribute to a broader understanding of the nation’s history.  

These five Woodstock Film Festival alumni films capture the struggles and everyday wonders of our land as well as the relentless American spirit, giving voice to the diversity of the country while educating viewers on the complexities of American culture.

TWO TRAINS RUNNIN’ – Directed by Sam Pollard (2016)

The blues is one of America’s greatest contributions to music. Sam Pollard’s poignant and important documentary TWO TRAINS RUNNIN’ tells the story of two groups of college students who traveled to Mississippi in 1964 in search of Son House and Skip James, two of the most influential blues singers in history. Thrust into the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, the students’ mission becomes a much bigger calling. Race, culture, politics, and identity collide in this uniquely American story.

The film, which premiered at WFF in 2016, can be purchased on Amazon Prime.

NOMADLAND – Directed by Chloé Zhao (2020)

Chloé Zhao’s Oscar®-winning drama NOMADLAND follows Fern (Frances McDormand), a recently widowed woman in her sixties, as she sells everything to travel around the United States in her van. Featuring performances from many real-life modern American nomads, NOMADLAND focuses on people who exist on the outskirts of American society, offering a deeply empathetic view of our country. It is a masterful depiction of a wandering spirit that resonated with audiences around the world.

NOMADLAND was a part of the WFF lineup in 2020, and is currently available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime.

HALE COUNTY THIS MORNING, THIS EVENING – Directed by RaMell Ross (2018)

This avant-garde documentary depicts the lives of the inhabitants of Hale County, Alabama. Made to experiment with the very nature of filmmaking and construct new ways of depicting Black bodies, the acclaimed film is nonlinear, poetic, and entirely original. 

Premiered at WFF in 2018, and in 2024, WFF hosted a Q&A with producer Joslyn Barnes and Jomo Fray, director of photography for the 2025 Oscar®-nominated film, NICKEL BOYS. Now available for purchase on Amazon Prime.

LAST FLAG FLYING – Directed by Richard Linklater (2017)

LAST FLAG FLYING stars Steve Carrell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne as Vietnam War veterans who reunite after the loss of one of their sons in the Iraq War. Based on Darryl Ponicsan’s novel of the same name and deemed an unofficial sequel to Hal Ashby’s 1973 film THE LAST DETAIL, LAST FLAG FLYING reckons with questions of duty and patriotism that remain relevant today.

This narrative feature was one of the centerpiece films at WFF in 2017 and is currently available on Amazon Prime.

HARLAN COUNTY, USA – Directed by Barbara Kopple (1976)

The struggle between corporations and workers is a tale as old as time. In 1976, Barbara Kopple stood firmly on the picket line alongside miners in Kentucky as they conducted a strike. The resulting documentary shines a light on the bravery of the community while capturing a much larger American tradition of fighting for worker’s rights. 

Academy Award®-winning director Barbara Kopple is a longtime friend of the WFF and has been a guest, panelist, and award recipient multiple times over the past two decades. This Oscar®-winning documentary is currently available to stream on HBO Max and the Criterion Channel.

These films are only a few examples of an incredible library of American independent cinema that bravely and honestly explore the many corners of our nation. The Woodstock Film Festival has proudly fostered a community of active, politically engaged artists and filmmakers over the past twenty-seven years. Don’t miss our 27th annual festival, coming this October 14–18, 2026, and explore the important work being done in your community while continuing to support independent filmmaking around the country.