The Flagmakers

The Flagmakers is a 2022 documentary film about the workers of employee-owned American flag manufacturer Eder Flag who manufacture American flags and flagpoles. The film focuses on the factory's diverse workforce, including locals, immigrants, and refugees.[1] Directed and produced by veteran documentary makers Cynthia Wade and Sharon Liese, The Flagmakers was also produced by NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.[2]

The Flagmakers
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Produced by
  • Cynthia Wade
  • Sharon Liese
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Carolyn Bernstein
  • Ryan Harrington
  • Mark Gordon
  • Ben Forkner
  • Pamela Ryckman
  • Sylvia Golden
  • Jenna Segal
  • Jayne Sherman
  • Deborah C. Van Eck
CinematographyBoaz Freund
Edited by
  • Dava Whisenant
  • Hillary Bachelder
Distributed byNational Geographic Documentary Films
Release date
  • December 21, 2022 (2022-12-21)
Running time
35 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

The Flagmakers examines the workforce of the Eder Flag factory located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, the largest manufacturer of American flags in the nation.[3] Eder Flag's employees are largely refugees and immigrants from all around the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The film follows several different employees, examining the meaning behind the American flag through their individual stories.[4]

The main narrator, Radica, immigrated from Serbia when it was on the brink of war over 30 years ago. She learned English from watching episodes of Married With Children.[5] The film contrasts the optimism of Ali, a war survivor from Baghdad, Iraq, with the after-effects of being attacked at a local store due to being an immigrant.[6] The film explores the hardships felt by Eder Flag's employees, including production manager SugarRay, who reflects on recent tragedies including the murder of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake. He is quoted as saying: "Definitely love this country, you know what I mean? But it don’t always love you back."[5] The film also explores the relationships between Barb, a midwesterner who is retiring from Eder due to health issues, and her "diverse immigrant co-workers".[6]

Co-director Cynthia Wade said that the Eder Flag factory was a "'visual tapestry' woven with the diversity of its employees and richness of the sewing process for flags". Filming began in 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing the filmmakers to expand the narrative to include the impacts of the COVID-19 on the factory workers.[7] Wade also said Eder Flag has seen an increase in flag orders since the film debuted.[4]

Release

The Flagmakers had its world premiere at the 2022 Camden International Film Festival on September 16, 2022.[8]

The film was released on the National Geographic network on December 8, 2022 and on Disney+ on December 21, 2022.[5]

Reception

Common Sense Media said: "In light of the flag's increasing use as a symbol of division, the film offers a heartening reminder of how people from different backgrounds can work together and find common ground."[9] Tony Betti of LaughingPlace.com said the film offers an "oddly poetic look at one of the most successful manufacturers of American flags" in the United States.[6]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards November 13, 2022 Best Short Documentary National Geographic Documentary Films Nominated [10]
Denver International Film Festival November 16, 2022 Short Film Sharon Liese and Cynthia Wade Won [11]
Savannah Film Festival October 22, 2022 Documentary Short Won [12]

Stage adaptation

Shortly after release, The Flagmakers was optioned to be adapted into a stage musical, with Saheem Ali attached as director.[13]

References
  1. Davidson, Denton (January 12, 2023). "Sharon Liese ('The Flagmakers' director): We will 'never look at the American flag the same way again'". MSN. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. Carey, Matthew (September 16, 2022). "National Geographic Launches 'The Flagmakers', Stirring Doc On Diverse Workers At American Flag Factory, With NBA Star Giannis Antetokounmpo As EP". Deadline. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  3. "The Flag Makers". International Documentary Association. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. Contreras, Russell (January 6, 2023). "Immigrants take back American flag in new film". Axios. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  5. Rovito, Rich (November 17, 2022). "This National Geographic Documentary Is Set in Oak Creek". Milwaukee Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  6. Betti, Tony (December 21, 2022). "National Geographic's "The Flagmakers" Provokes Unexpected Thoughts and Questions About The American Flag". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  7. Bergeson, Samantha (December 8, 2022). "'The Flagmakers' Directors Cynthia Wade and Sharon Liese: Feature Documentaries Are 'Just Too Long'". IndieWire. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  8. "National Geographic Documentary Films Debuts Trailer for THE FLAGMAKERS From Co-Directors Academy Award-Winner Cynthia Wade and AFI Docs Award Winner Sharon Liese". Business Wire. September 16, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  9. Morgan, Stephanie. "The Flagmakers". Common Sense Media. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  10. Zilko, Christian (November 13, 2022). "'Good Night Oppy,' 'Get Back' Dominate Critics Choice Documentary Awards (Complete Winners List)". IndieWire. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  11. "DENVER FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR 45TH ANNUAL PROGRAM". Denver Film Festival. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  12. Tangcay, Jazz; Zee, Michaela (October 27, 2022). "SCAD Savannah Film Festival Announces 2022 Award Winners – Film News in Brief". Variety. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  13. Major, Michael (December 14, 2022). "THE FLAGMAKERS Documentary Stage Musical Adaptation In the Works". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
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