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An American Pastoral

Play trailer 1:47 Poster for An American Pastoral 2024 1h 58m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a storm is brewing over the soul of its public schools. What begins as a debate over library books quickly reveals a deeper battle--one over religion, democracy, and the future of American education. Set in Elizabethtown, nestled in the heart of Lancaster County, An American Pastoral follows a high-stakes local school board race as it becomes a flashpoint for a national culture war. With far-right activists pushing a theocratic agenda and longtime public servants stepping down under threat, the town's once-routine school board meetings erupt into scenes of conflict and division. This gripping documentary captures the voices of citizens fighting to protect their schools--and the fragile promise of secular democracy--one ballot at a time.
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An American Pastoral

Critics Reviews

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Ryan Silberstein MovieJawn 5d
While much of An American Pastoral is enraging, it is also energizing. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl 6d
7/10
I couldn’t blame anyone for wondering, on the strength of this documentary alone, if Americans have lost their entire minds. Go to Full Review Christie Cronan Common Sense Media Feb 10
4/5
Gripping and emotionally charged, An American Pastoral is a small-town view of a broader political crisis in the United States. Go to Full Review Samantha Puc The Beat Feb 5
An American Pastoral may not sway the majority of viewers on the issue of book bans, but hopefully it pushes audiences to consider the importance of school board elections and get involved in local politics—hopefully, for the better. Go to Full Review Courtney Small POV Magazine May 1
A riveting and chilling look at how democracy is often first eroded on a local level, and then national level, An American Pastoral is a reminder of a culture war that is hurting those who need education the most. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
An American Pastoral

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Cast & Crew

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Auberi Edler

Director

Serge Lalou

Producer

Auberi Edler

Cinematographer

Barbara Bascou

Film Editor
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An American Pastoral

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An American Pastoral

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Movie Info

Synopsis In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a storm is brewing over the soul of its public schools. What begins as a debate over library books quickly reveals a deeper battle--one over religion, democracy, and the future of American education. Set in Elizabethtown, nestled in the heart of Lancaster County, An American Pastoral follows a high-stakes local school board race as it becomes a flashpoint for a national culture war. With far-right activists pushing a theocratic agenda and longtime public servants stepping down under threat, the town's once-routine school board meetings erupt into scenes of conflict and division. This gripping documentary captures the voices of citizens fighting to protect their schools--and the fragile promise of secular democracy--one ballot at a time.
Director
Auberi Edler
Producer
Serge Lalou
Distributor
Film Movement
Production Co
Les Films d'Ici Méditerranée
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 13, 2026
Runtime
1h 58m
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