STATE OF THE UNITY (OFFICIAL TRAILER)

Praise and awards for state of the Unity

state of the unity documentary

Is unity possible? That is the question that launched the Brooklyn-based husband-wife duo The Bergamot on a quest that would take them to all 50 States to unite people through the power of music, community, and collaboration. What began as a simple idea in the band's station wagon, brought about a profound revelation. What is unity and how can we as individuals on this planet reframe the way we perceive and understand it?

On The Bergamot’s 50 state tour they learned from people of all walks of life and from professors like David Anderson Hooker Ph.D. who shared with them this important ideas that, “unity is not a shared narrative of a future, but rather a narrative of a shared future.” it is this type of thinking that can ultimately unite us together. How the duo connected people with their music, touring vehicle and collaborative works started a conversation around unity that continues to this day. Join them in this timely 50,000-mile unity tour in learning about human empathy, perseverance, and love that changed their lives forever.

THE STORY BEHIND STATE OF THE UNITY

As Americans become more divided, two musician's Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Hoff (The Bergamot) set out to unite American through touring to all 50 states in 2016 spreading a message of unity through the power of art.

On January 2nd, 2016 Speece and Hoff set out to tour to all 50 states of America spreading a message of unity through performing 265 shows and by inviting the curious to sign their message of unity on their station wagon known as The Unity Car.

It all started in 2015 Nathaniel and Jillian toured across American they could feel the division growing and did not like where America was headed. Shortly after Jillian and Nathaniel wrapped up that 2015 tour they got a phone call that Nathaniel’s grandfather Charlie Webber had become very ill. A day after getting that call they left Brooklyn and drove to South Bend, Indiana to say their final goodbyes.

Shortly after they said their final goodbyes, Grandpa Webber peacefully passed away.

On the eve of his funeral Nathaniel came up with the idea to tour to all 50 states of America (in 2016) to spread a message of unity to all people in hope of bringing Americans together through the power of music, community and collaboration.

The next month Jillian and Nathaniel launched and successfully raised over 18k on Kickstarter to buy the gear they needed to film the upcoming Unity Collective Tour.

The Unity Collective Tour began on January 2nd 2016 from their tiny 589sq foot Brooklyn apartment where Jillian and Nathaniel packed up their guitar, backpacks, pillows and launched their first concert on The Unity Collective 50 State Tour.

At each stop Jillian and Nathaniel would perform music (over 264 shows), invite fans and onlookers to sign their message of unity and spread this message of unity at each city in all 50 states.

In American the 2016 election period was dividing the country more rigorously than anyone had ever seen in history.

One can imagine that it was a intense decision for Nathaniel and Jillian to choose to tour to all 50 state promoting a message of unity during one of the most divided election year’s in the history of America. Their tour became a counter narrative of peace, love and unity during a very polarizing time in our history.

Recently, Jillian said, “We risked it all to create this documentary. We experienced break in’s, break down’s, homelessness, haters and financial instability in pursuit of unity. Nathaniel and I did all of this because we believe in the power of unity and love.” And as they saw the political divide widen on the tour Nathaniel said that, “while on tour nothing else mattered more to him than continuing to spread love, peace and unity through the power of music, community and collaboration.”

Night after, night, day after day Nathaniel and Jillian performed original songs in all 50 States while spreading a message of unity during the 2016 election cycle to remind people to stay human and that with little resources anyone can be a force for good.

Ultimately, this 8 month tour came to an end in October 2016 and it challenged Jillian and Nathaniel’s perceptions and preconceived notions of what unity was. By listening to real American people of all walks of life and political spectrums they were able to form a new vision of a shared future where everyone could have a seat at the table.

By the end of the tour Jillian and Nathaniel had thousands of messages of unity written on The Unity Car and they concluded their 50 state journey with a Benefit Concert at the Morris Performing Arts Center in their hometown of South Bend, Indiana for the Music Therapy Department at Memorial Children’s Hospital.

On May 28th 2017 Jillian and Nathaniel had successfully auctioned off their touring station wagon (affectionately named “The Unity Car”) on eBay for Charity. Where they donated 100% of the proceeds to the Music Therapy Department at Memorial Children Hospital.

Now in todays cultural landscape which is more divided than ever the pursuit of peace and unity is so important.

Today, standing up for peace and resisting a narrative of hate and division is imperative if we want to see a better world evolve. Because each of us has a voice and we must use it to cultivate good for our neighbors and planet.