College cancels documentary screening

Bucks County Community College abruptly pulled the plug on a PBS docuseries screening scheduled for Tuesday, citing last-minute safety concerns about hosting the event at its Newtown Township campus.

Event moves to Montgomery County

Organizers quickly relocated the sold-out screening to the Hiway Theater in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, on Tuesday night to keep the event alive.

Documentary explores Bucks County divisions

The five-part PBS series, directed by Robert May and Barry Levinson, examines community tensions in Bucks County during and after COVID-19, told partly through two 14-year-old girls whose friendship fractures over their parents' political differences.

College cites safety without details

BCCC President Patrick M. Jones said the decision was his, but the college's statement only said it received information raising safety concerns without specifying what those concerns were.

“The safety of our visitors and campus community ... is paramount.”

Police received no threat report

The Newtown Township Police Department said it received no report from BCCC of a specific threat or information compromising the event's safety.

Filmmaker expresses shock and disappointment

Director Robert May said the filmmakers were beyond surprised by the cancellation after months of planning and that the college ignored their pleas to speak with whoever made the decision.

“We are beyond surprised and disappointed.”

Event at new venue was peaceful

The relocated screening at Hiway Theater was packed and ran about four hours with only one police officer present. Attendee Jeff Benedetto said there was no safety concern whatsoever.

“Not even remotely a concern about safety whatsoever.”

Cancellation sparks political speculation

The unexplained decision triggered waves of social media speculation about whether backdoor politics motivated the college's withdrawal, with some raising concerns about stifling free speech.

Attendee calls for transparency

Benedetto, a former Lower Makefield township supervisor, said the college owes an explanation to those involved in the film, noting that speculation leads to misinformation and keeps Bucks County residents at odds.

“Transparency is everything.”

Documentary aims for dialogue

Directors May and Levinson said the project's intent is to look beyond politics and offer an impartial perspective on ideological divides, presenting Bucks County as a microcosm of purple politics nationwide.

May emphasizes listening over talking

May said the series is about trust and listening to folks from the other side, something neither side has experienced in recent years because there is only talking, not listening.

“It's all about trust. It's literally all about listening to folks from the other side.”

Interviews conducted over hours

Most interviews featured in the series were conducted with Bucks County residents from across the political spectrum over several hours at a time to build understanding.

Series addresses race and LGBTQ issues

The documentary highlights how issues including race relations and LGBTQ plus rights affect local life in Bucks County, a swing state, showing how national divides play out locally.

Benedetto sees improvement in schools

Benedetto, a former Democrat elected as a Republican, said the making of the docuseries improved life in the Central Bucks School District, which had been roiled by contentious board meetings.

Screening brought community together

Benedetto said the Hiway Theater event was a nice reminder that people from Central Bucks came together, sat in a room together, and sat on stage together, showing they are all in this together.

“It was a nice reminder of like, 'Hey, we're all in this together.'”

Cancellation undermined the message

Benedetto said the college's cancellation was odd and off-putting because the documentary was supposed to be non-political, and the unexplained decision exemplified the kind of tension that keeps Bucks County residents at odds.

“This is why this docuseries was made.”

Series premieres nationally September 20

Bucks County USA is slated to premiere nationally on PBS on Sunday with the first two episodes, followed by a local broadcast on WHYY on Monday, with the remainder released over the fall.

May on anger and respect

May said everyone is angry right now regardless of political side, and if the film can demonstrate that people from opposite sides can come together and talk, there is a level of respect that wasn't there in the beginning.

“We're all angry right now, whether you're on the right or you're the left, we're angry.”