In these difficult times of political, social and personal unrest, the American spirit could use some strengthening and renewed commitment.
A recent film called Something To Stand For does just that, but unfortunately you and many other people who should see it will never see it.
Chances are pretty good that you’ve never heard of this film by Mike Rowe, best known for his long-running television series Dirty Jobs and, more recently, his numerous radio, television and podcast appearances promoting his foundation.
The Mike Rowe Works Foundation has donated millions to young people who want to build their lives and future incomes on the construction trades. These trades need a lot of young talent because certain skills are not being filled, while others are pursuing college degrees and carrying the high student debt that often comes with that compared to learning construction and repair work.
Rowe wrote, performed and narrated Something To Stand For, a historical documentary about why we should be proud of and support America instead of constantly looking for faults and tearing down what many would call “American exceptionalism.”
Not only is this a patriotic and inspirational film that presents a number of true stories with smiles and tears, but it is also superbly directed, produced and shot, offering skillful acting, engaging dialogue and more inspiration in its two hours than you would think possible.
However, due to its embarrassingly low level of dissemination, many have missed out on the much-needed inspiration and opportunity to bridge the divide that Rowe offers.
“Something To Stand For” never made it to Hutchinson and maybe won’t, although the Fox Theater is trying. Churches should be interested, and households with streaming services could get it with the right connection. It was shown briefly in Wichita, as an opening event on July 4, but with an oddly limited screening that ended just a few days later.
Fathom Events, the distribution company, has promised streaming releases, but these have not been easy to find and some have already disappeared. HBO is reportedly planning a late November release, but this film needs to be much more accessible to the average person.
The film grossed less than a million dollars at the Independence Day box office, despite the production budget being $70 million. I would be quick to argue that this is because few knew what it was about, the film was barely available, and there was virtually no time for word of mouth to tell others what they were missing.
Among the few who have seen the film, Something To Stand For “liked” an astonishing 98% when a Rotten Tomatoes poll was conducted, and a Fandango sample returned similar results. The commodity we “stand up for” after watching this film is America – what it has sacrificed for others in the past, and why it is unlike any other country on Earth.
Anyone who has even an ounce of pride in the United States and doesn’t come out of this film feeling better and more grateful for the place we’re privileged to live in and for those who have helped make it so great is out of touch with reality. And that’s despite the ongoing flaws, the great mistakes of the past, and the fact that we’re currently seemingly hopelessly divided politically.
Something To Stand For examines our national monuments in Washington, DC and what they stand for, as well as the circumstances that led famous and highly productive people to defend the American way of life.
Mike Rowe and his production team deserve great praise for bringing a compelling story to the screen. So far, only a small portion of the audience has seen the film.
Let’s hope that future streaming, special screenings, and perhaps a re-release of Something To Stand For in theaters will reach more Americans and others abroad who should know the story.
It is the shot in the arm we need in these divided and difficult times.
Dan Deming, former general manager of Hutchinson radio station KWBW and former Reno County commissioner, can be reached at 620-960-6733 or [email protected].
