Welcome to the official blog for The Space Between, a documentary film exploring why Americans are divided — and how we can rediscover what connects us. This is the place where the story behind the story unfolds.
Here, filmmaker Emily Arndt shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film — from first interviews to final edits. You’ll find reflections from the road, moments that didn’t make it into the movie, and lessons learned while filming in communities across the East Coast. These posts pull back the curtain on the creative process, showing how listening, empathy, and storytelling come together to create something larger than any one viewpoint.
The Space Between Blog is more than a filmmaking journal; it’s a conversation. Each post explores what happens when we pause the noise, sit down with people we may not agree with, and listen long enough to hear the human story underneath. Whether it’s Ryan, a firefighter helping strangers, Molly, a business owner giving back to her community ten-fold, Ilsy, a volunteer knocking on doors, or Steward, a historian preserving local stories, these are the people reminding us that division isn’t the full picture.
You’ll also find updates about film screenings, production notes, community events, and ways to get involved.
If you’re curious about how documentaries are made, or if you’re simply looking for hope and connection in a divided world, you’re in the right place. Welcome to The Space Between — both the film, and the movement.
Why we feel so divided
When I was in grad school, I noticed something strange. People in my classes were smart and kind, but when politics came up, everything got