EXCLUSIVE: National Geographic released a trailer today for its new documentary The Flagmakers, and announced that NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has come on board as an executive producer of the film that’s expected to be a strong awards contender.
The short film, directed by Oscar winner Cynthia Wade and Sharon Liese, takes viewers inside an employee-owned factory in Oak Creek, Wisconsin that sews and ships five million American flags each year. In fact, it’s the country’s largest manufacturer of flags and flagpoles. But what’s even more remarkable about Eder Flag is the people who work there: Americans of diverse backgrounds joined by immigrants from all around the world.
“As an immigrant myself, I find this film incredibly personal and a deeply moving testament to those who call this country ‘home,’” Antetokounmpo said in a statement. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star added, “Each one of these inspiring individuals have overcome adversity and challenges in their lives and bring those unique experiences and stories as they craft the American flag.”
Among the characters in the film are sewing manager Radica, a Serbian immigrant, who “believes every flag has a soul,” according to a description of the film. “Ali, a war survivor from Iraq, is learning how to use a sewing machine after arriving in the United States just 90 days prior. Midwestern-born Barb’s genuine friendships with her immigrant co-workers belie her staunchly conservative beliefs. SugarRay, a Black man born and raised in Milwaukee, reflects on his complicated relationship with this country. Each considers: What does the American flag represent in a changing nation and world, and for whom? The Flagmakers is an intimate glimpse into the people whose hands make the most recognizable icon of our country.”
In a statement, filmmakers Wade and Liese noted, “When we first walked into this midwestern flag factory staffed by immigrants, refugees and locals, we instantly saw that this would be an ideal setting to explore the layered and deeply-nuanced relationships Americans have to our flag and to our country.”
The film does not disguise the hardships faced by a number of the people who work at Eder Flag, including some who have encountered bias because of their racial, ethnic or religious identities.
“Definitely love this country, you know what I mean,” SugarRay says in the film. “But it don’t always love you back.” Radica adds, “I love America. I know it’s not perfect. But that is beauty. You don’t love something because it’s perfect.”
The Flagmakers is premiering this weekend at the Camden International Film Festival in Maine. NatGeo says the film will have a limited qualifying theatrical run in Los Angeles, “followed by a robust festival run and streaming premiere later this fall.” Along with Antetokounmpo, the film is executive produced by Carolyn Bernstein, Ryan Harrington, Mark Gordon, Ben Forkner, Pamela Ryckman, Sylvia Golden, Jenna Segal, Jayne Sherman, and Deborah C. Van Eck.
National Geographic will also factor prominently as awards season progresses with its feature documentaries Fire of Love, and The Territory, among other possible contenders.
Watch the stirring trailer for The Flagmakers above.