A new five-part documentary series, *Bucks County, USA*, offers an in-depth look at the cultural and political divisions playing out in a suburban Pennsylvania community, using the local school board battles as a focal point. Filmed over four years and directed by Robert May and Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson, the series profiles the ideological clashes in Doylestown, a town north of Philadelphia, highlighting how national debates have manifested in a local setting.
The series centers around the experiences of two teenage friends, Evi and Vanessa, whose households embody the polarized environment. Evi’s family holds liberal views, with her mother Lela advocating for LGBTQ students and fact-based history education at school board meetings. Conversely, Vanessa’s father, Paul Martino, a conservative venture capitalist, has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting a conservative PAC to influence local school board elections. This financial effort was driven by frustration over pandemic-related school closures and a broader conservative campaign against policies perceived as left-leaning or controversial.
The documentary portrays the escalating tensions within the Central Bucks school district, where disagreement over issues such as mask mandates, critical race theory, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, book bans, and transgender student rights have sparked frequent public confrontations. The school board became a battleground marked by loud, sometimes hostile exchanges, reflecting larger cultural wars that many communities across the United States have experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
May described the series as a “microcosm for communities around the country,” where “concern for one’s children” evolves into hardened political stances. By conducting extensive interviews with residents from across the ideological spectrum, including parents, students, teachers, and board members, the filmmakers sought to present a broad and unfiltered view of the conflict. Efforts were made not to interject or challenge statements but to allow each viewpoint to be heard, leaving judgments to the audience.
The filmmakers acknowledged the risk that the series could be seen as offering “false equivalencies” but emphasized that their intention was not to take sides or correct opinions but to document the real and deeply entrenched divisions. The documentary highlights moments of dialogue and mutual respect despite ongoing disagreement, though a clear resolution or middle ground remains elusive on some of the most contentious issues.
Notably, the series also captures personal stories tied to the political debates. Evi campaigns against a proposed ban on classroom pride flags, while Vanessa supports her mother Aarati Martino’s conservative school board campaign, which critiques DEI efforts as limiting rather than inclusive. Their enduring friendship and willingness to engage across divides underscore a potential path toward understanding, even as broader community tensions persist.
*Bucks County, USA* explores key contemporary culture war flashpoints, including book bans, vaccine policies, transgender healthcare, and racial equity. While the documentary portrays the complexity, contradiction, and at times hypocrisy of individuals’ views, it also strives to humanize those involved and reflects a cautious hope that respectful conversation and curiosity about opposing perspectives may offer some common ground.
The series is now available for viewing on PBS.