Daniel Troia came up with a simple premise for his latest documentary.
He would bike across America without food or money, forcing himself to live without a home and ask for help along the way. The catch? He kept a camera hidden on his chest, recording every kind act and quotidian experience.
The result is “We Are All In This Together,” a powerful, intimate film about Americans helping other Americans. In our modern political environment, with a rising tension that seems palpable to everyone, Troia’s film about random acts of kindness feels like a much-needed wake-up call.
“The division in our world has been so intense, and issues around homelessness and food insecurity are so complex,” Troia said. “But the people I met showed me that the one thing we can control is how we treat each other. Every single day, we have the opportunity to show up for someone who needs help. On an individual level, this is where change really begins.”
That conclusion is one that’s likely difficult for many Americans to feel right now. But for Troia, that’s a matter of perception and experience.