FilmScene Will Premiere The Work in Progress Film

Director Ian Cheney visits Iowa City on October 16, 2026, for the premiere of his new documentary.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Employment

FilmScene Will Premiere The Work in Progress Film

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Do you believe Americans can maintain civil discourse despite holding significant differences in life experience?

Director Ian Cheney will debut his documentary, The Work in Progress, at FilmScene in Iowa City on Oct. 16, 2026. The film features conversations between diverse residents across the United States as the country nears its 250th anniversary.

Why it matters

The project seeks to capture the spirit of the nation through intimate conversations between strangers from different generations. It provides a historical snapshot as the U.S. approaches a significant national milestone.

The production spanned six months of filming across six states. The documentary highlights 20 Iowans, including a pig farmer, a nurse, and an elected official, as part of its effort to document the national mood.

The players

Ian Cheney

He is the director of The Work in Progress who previously worked as a filmmaker in Iowa over 20 years ago.

Robert Reich

He is a former U.S. Secretary of Labor who appears in the documentary.

The details

Participants in the documentary explored their perspectives on the current era by using prompt cards and contributing objects like a Pride flag and seeds to a time capsule. Filmmakers conducted these conversations in Iowa towns including Iowa City, Kalona, Muscatine, Nichols, Riverside, Springville, Swisher, West Liberty, and Wilton.

Six months of cross-country filming occurred prior to the release.
The Iowa City premiere at FilmScene takes place on Oct. 16, 2026.

Macro View

The project functions as a contemporary time capsule, mirroring historical efforts to document the national psyche during transitional periods. By anchoring the film to the lead-up to the United States' 250th anniversary, the production contextualizes individual voices within a broader national arc.

Residents can attend the premiere to engage with the filmmaker and view a production that highlights Iowan perspectives. The film offers the public a chance to see how their neighbors contributed to a nationwide conversation about the country's future.

The takeaway

Documentary projects often serve as vital archives of cultural sentiments for future generations to study. Engaging with community-focused media allows viewers to gain a broader understanding of diverse perspectives within their own region.