The personal is political, and in this endearing little film, the local turns out to be global. Soans explores the life of a woman in a small town, whose daily, everyday experiences open a small window into how we are all connected to other people and to each other. The settings are deeply familiar--the bakery, the courthouse steps. The issues addressed are powerful ones--how we treat our neighbors, how we experience difference, how we understand our responsibilities to the wider world. My college invited Soans to come speak about her film to a summer institute class; it was a treat to hear her thoughtful and insightful comments about filmmaking and about small town life and big world connections in this day and age.
