In the hills of rural Pennsylvania, the leader of a local militia must prepare his men for the turbulent political landscape of 2020 while at war with his own conscience. For over ten years, 48-year-old Iraqi War Veteran and machinist Christian Yingling has commanded a troop of private militiamen and women concerned with the government’s infringement on their constitutional rights. The group practices paramilitary drills, stockpiles food and ammo, and attends gun rights rallies in preparation for a doomsday scenario. Now that a worldwide pandemic has hit, followed by a summer of racial injustice protests and a Presidential election like no other, Christian—out of work and nearly out of money—must confront his allegiance and choose to act or not.

Director's Statement:

As someone from Denmark, I have always been intrigued by American gun culture and wanted to understand why there are so many firearms in the land of the free. For my documentary short film, I decided to find out. This quest led me into the heart of rural America, to East Freedom, Pennsylvania, where I met Christian Yingling, a commanding officer in a local militia who had attended the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville. I had so many questions. Why are there militias in the U.S.? Why do they show up to rallies? Who are the people that join these groups, and what is their motivation?

When I started the project, I could not have foreseen the reality that 2020 would bring. The film follows the militia group as they confront the challenges of this unprecedented year.