“Generation Nation: A PBS American Portrait Story” explores how people in different age groups, from adolescents to seniors, see themselves and their place in America.
It reveals the common experiences that bind people together within and across age groups and the generational differences that can put us at odds with one another.
Like the preceding PBS AMERICAN PORTRAIT specials, “Generation Nation” will blend collages of various stories from across the country with a focus on three main stories filmed and told firsthand.
The featured participants are:
Arwyn H. is a 15-year-old rising sophomore in Austin, Texas. She is an enthusiastic, straight-A student who considers school her “happy place.” Her positive outlook on school changed in March, when the pandemic forced an abrupt shift to online education, depriving her of the camaraderie, support and focused academic lifestyle in which she thrived. As the new school year approaches, Arwyn is preparing her home space and her mind for school in a way she has never experienced.
Kat P. is a 51-year-old woman in Philadelphia. She has enjoyed a happy and purposeful career in the service industry, and has spent the last decade as a popular local bartender and hotel housekeeper. In March, Kat was furloughed from her hotel job and laid off from her bartending job. Now, she is adjusting to middle age while trying to figure out how best to support her two children, one of whom is autistic.
Marna C. has dreamed of being a professional photographic artist for most of her life, but family and financial responsibilities got in the way. Living in Inverness, California, she managed to finally take the time to develop as an artist and has embraced digital photography. As she reaches her golden years, her creative voice aims to capture the beauty of the aging process in herself and in those around her. This year, Marna turns 80 and is determined to finally receive the validation for her work that she’s craved all her life.
Watch On Your Schedule:
The show will begin streaming October 26 on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV and Chromecast.
More About The Project:
Since it was launched in early January 2020, the PBS AMERICAN PORTRAIT website has collected thousands of stories by Americans that, together, hope to answer the question: What does it really mean to be an American today?
With millions of users coming to the site to explore the thousands of stories submitted from people all over America, PBS recently added to the site two new prompts — “Family looks like…” and “At this point in my life…” — allowing people across the country to share personal stories about the topics explored in the two specials.
PBS American Portrait is on Facebook and Instagram. Follow @PortraitPBS on Twitter. #AmericanPortraitPBS
Credits:
Produced by PBS and RadicalMedia
