Kurt GardnerThe story of My Omaha begins as Donald Trump is first elected president and the Black Lives Matter movement is burgeoning in Omaha. Nick Beaulieu, fresh out of journalism school, is determined to understand how these forces are colliding in his hometown. Along the way, he meets Leo Louis II, a fearless activist, who introduces him to the birthplace of Malcolm X in North Omaha.
In parallel, Nick explores the increasingly tense relationship with his fiercely pro-Trump father, Randy. After Randy is diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, they commit to finding a new place of mutual understanding. As Nick becomes closer with Leo, he documents Leo’s ascension in the city as Leo guides Omaha through crisis following the polarizing death of a protestor. All the while, Nick confronts the reality of his father’s illness and their uncompromising differences, as he searches for the deeper truths of what their relationship says about Omaha and America.
On the eve of his film’s world premiere, Nick graciously gave an insightful interview to ArtsBeat LA.
ArtsBeat LA: What was your motivation behind the creation of the documentary?
Nick Beaulieu: It started back in 2016, observing the “tale of two cities” I was seeing in Omaha. There was a lot of violence happening, particularly affecting the black community. At the same time, statistics around education and poverty were really bad. All I kept seeing was people celebrating Omaha as a place with low unemployment and a great middle class; one of the greatest places to live in the country, and I was so confused by the disconnect.
That was my jumping-off point, and things began to radically change in the country politically at that time. I just adapted as things were evolving. I eventually decided to take things personally as well, kind of reaching out in an interesting dimension by going in that direction, too.
What do you hope that viewers will get out of seeing the film?
I hope viewers see what’s possible by bridging the gap, bridging the divide right now when it comes to the division in this country. Most people have someone in their life now they probably disagree with strongly when it comes to the direction of the country. For a lot of people, that’s affected their relationships in a big way, and I hope this film can inspire people to remain close despite that.
And maybe the film will also give people some ideas; how to have those conversations and maybe think outside the box. You know — not to allow those forces to be such a divisive thing.
Especially considering it’s always families.
Totally. And with families it’s always more complicated than what you believe in from a political or social perspective. In many cases, everything is okay, except that can be a major tipping point. It’s a reminder to see the humanity in everyone, no matter what their political leanings are.
Have your views of others been tempered or changed by this experience?
Well, I think I gained a lot more empathy for people I disagreed with politically, particularly with my dad. My personal experience was that I had not really considered how it affected him. I decided to go in a different direction and how he took that as a personal failing.
It allowed me to have a little bit more patience and understanding with why my dad was so aggressive when it came to sharing his beliefs with me, even though I really disagreed with him. Making that connection gave me a lot more empathy for him and where he was coming from, and it helped our relationship.
I don’t think that any of my views have really changed, but the way that I’ve interacted has definitely changed.
What advice or suggestions do you have for people who may be going through similar experiences?
So much can fester when you’re not talking with loved ones or people you disagree with. Assumptions can be made that often aren’t true. I think constant communication is key, but I also encourage people to have conviction in their beliefs ad be proud of what you stand on.
I think that you should hold strongly to your beliefs, but don’t allow someone else, and where they’re coming from, to sour your relationships to the best degree you can.
That’s right. The politics will pass but the family relationship is more important.
Yeah! And I think that when you look at the political sphere, in many cases the people in power want to divide the country. It’s in their best interests to stoke that. Your family is the most important in your life. They’re always there for you. You have this inherent connection, and you do everything you can to preserve that.
What makes Slamdance the ideal venue for the premiere of My Omaha?
The film is very much a grass roots effort. I started from the ground up. I was just a guy roaming around my city with a camera trying to make a movie and eight years later we ended up with a film. I just think that the whole journey encapsulated the spirit of Slamdance — what they value and what they look for. It truly is a festival for independent filmmakers.
Even that definition has changed so much, and I think that they have maintained the essence of it, which is basically people who are making films with extraordinarily challenging circumstances from a resource and funding perspective. Using a lot of ingenuity. I see that in my film and I’ve seen that in a lot of films they’ve programmed over the years.
What are your suggestions for the next four years?
Oh, man! I’m asking myself that question every day. I don’t know if I’m the best person to give advice about that. It’s such an unprecedented, unpredictable moment. I think that there definitely needs to be a more organized and more inspired resistance to what’s happening right now. I think that needs to be done in a way that doesn’t alienate those around you.
There needs to be a movement. I want to be a part of it, to help it, but I think right now everyone is so overwhelmed and is still processing the shock of this new moment in time.
Screenings
My Omaha screens Sun., Feb 23 at 11:45 a.m. (world premiere) and Tues., Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. at the Slamdance Festival. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Photos courtesy of the filmmaker.
Pauline Adamek
