The other side isn't "evil." So why do we believe they are?

About the Film

The Space Between is an upcoming feature-length documentary that exposes America’s deepest held secret: we have much more in common than we think. The film exposes what’s driving political division and polarization in America—and how the division is shaping our daily lives and relationships. Filmed over five years in communities across the east coast, the documentary weaves together evidence and intimate stories from experts and everyday Americans that reveal how our shared values are being overshadowed by powerful forces hiding in plain sight. Viewers will learn why we’re divided and what we can do about it. The Space Between invites audiences to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine what’s possible—together.

What divides us – and why that may be misleading

Conversations across party lines are dwindling, replaced by misinformation, assumptions, and outrage. The result? A nation that no longer knows how to disagree without hatred—or debate without anger or violence. If we continue down this path, our democracy, built on compromise and dialogue, could collapse under the weight of our own division.

The question isn’t whether we’re divided. The real question is: why are Americans so divided—and who benefits from keeping it that way?

That’s why The Space Between cannot wait. This documentary about division in America doesn’t just analyze the problem—it forces us to face it. Through raw, unfiltered conversations with everyday Americans and leading experts, and a fearless look into the political polarization shaping our lives, the film is a wake-up call.

It challenges us to recognize our own biases, question the systems that profit from keeping us apart, and imagine how we can bridge divides and find common ground before it’s too late.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. We need to get this story in front of as many people as possible. The divide is real. Time is running out. The only question left is—will you help close the space between us?

From award-winning filmmaker Emily Arndt comes The Space Between—a political documentary that asks what’s truly driving division in America, and what we can still do to save our democracy.

How we’re making it – and why it matters

Filmed over five years, The Space Between is a political documentary made by community, for community. What began as one filmmaker’s search to understand why Americans feel divided has grown into a nationwide collaboration.

With help from emerging cinematographers across the country and leading voices who believe this story must be told, the film became more than a production—it became a movement. Together, we’re creating a platform for Americans to find common ground, challenge the systems fueling political polarization, and rebuild the spirit of dialogue that democracy depends on.

Where We’ve Been — Stories from Across America

Filmed over five years in communities up and down the East Coast—and shaped by voices from across the country—The Space Between captures America at its most honest. From small towns to big cities, from classrooms to kitchen tables, the film uncovers how political division touches everyday life.

These moments aren’t just snapshots of one region—they’re reflections of a nation searching for understanding. Every interview, every story, every conversation reveals how much we still share beneath the surface of disagreement.

Whether in Pennsylvania, Maryland, or beyond, the people you’ll meet remind us that the space between us isn’t empty—it’s where common ground begins.

Who You’ll Meet: Real Americans and the Experts Who Help Us See Clearly

In The Space Between, real people and leading experts come together to tell one story: why Americans feel so divided—and what we can do about it.

You’ll meet everyday Americans like Ryan, a firefighter who risks his life for strangers; Molly, a small business owner who turns compassion into action; Steward, a historian preserving the lessons of the past; and Ilsy, a passionate volunteer and immigrant helping shape her community.

Alongside them are leading experts from across the country—political scientists, political psychologists, and media analysts—who help uncover how political polarization took hold and how our perceptions of one another have become distorted.

Together, their stories reveal that the divide in America is real—but often misunderstood. Beneath the noise, we share values that are stronger than what separates us. These conversations remind us that empathy isn’t weakness—it’s the bridge that can lead us back to common ground.