TRUE FALSE HOT COLD
A Documentary Series About Climate, Beliefs and Better Conversations.
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A recent Yale University study suggests that the people of Emery County, Utah, a large but very sparsely populated region in the southeast corner of the state, have amongst the least belief in human-caused climate change in the United States.
For someone who believes that climate change is a real and serious problem, it can be easy to angrily dismiss the residents here as uneducated, conspiratorial, or anti-science. But, over the course of one hot summer, through intimate time spent with the locals, a much more complicated reality reveals itself.
In this documentary series, we dive into both the content of people’s beliefs and the context in which these beliefs have formed. We examine everything from trust in the media to religious Armageddon. We did this by conducting extensive interviews with locals. We spent time with them as they worked, at their places of worship, and in their community. We discover that although the residents of this coal and cattle-producing region might have ways of life and beliefs that differ from those of big city urbanites, there are also similarities in their fears of change, frustrations with many aspects of modern life, and hopes for the future.
Wherever you are on the political and ideological spectrum, we know that there will be parts of these conversations that make you a little uneasy. We ask that you remember that everyone holds their belief with the same strength you hold yours, and that in the huge web of beliefs, the chance that any of us is completely right about all of them is basically zero. Our work is an exercise in practicing the art of listening generously.
We set out to make this project because we believe that learning to communicate with people who might disagree with us is a critical component of building a happier world. We believe a generous interview is a fun and respectful way to facilitate this. Giving people the time and space to share their stories, express their concerns, and reveal their personalities results in genuine understanding and respect.
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Watch the chapters in order to tell the full story, or jump around to any which interest you if you prefer.
For additional context to the project, we have also included an informal Q&A conversation between the filmmakers.
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If you haven’t already, please sign up for Social Cohesion Lab emails here.
If you want to support the work we’re doing here, you can make a tax deductible donation through this link. Whether you make a one-time donation as a thank you for this specific project, or a recurring donation as a means of supporting Social Cohesion Lab longer term, all the proceeds will go toward getting this project in front of more audiences who will learn to flex the muscle of creative and intellectual curiosity. It will be extremely appreciated!
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Chapter 1: Yodeling / Who We are
Chapter 2: Climate Opinions / Desert Cattle
Chapter 3: Your Connection With Nature / Farming
Chapter 4: The Drought / Senior Citizen Dance
Chapter 5: Hidden Motives / Lasso Training
Chapter 6: Miss Emery County / Trust
Chapter 7: Woodshop / Is It Human Caused?
Chapter 8: What Does It Even Mean? / Junior Livestock Competition
Chapter 9: The Coal Question / Rodeo
Chapter 10: Sign Posting / Opinions On Environmentalists
Chapter 11: Fire On The Mountain / Economic Realities
Chapter 12: Kids Going Shopping / Rural-urban Divide
Chapter 13: Ungermanns / Are You Political?
Intermission - A Conversation Between The Filmmakers
Chapter 14: Karl’s Hydrogen Lab / Science To The Rescue?
Chapter 15: The True State Of The World / Gone Fishing
Chapter 16: Church Service / Religion And Climate
Chapter 17: Belief Formations / Search And Rescue Training
Chapter 18: Coal Miners / Crandall Canyon Disaster
Chapter 19: Mounted Thunder / Shifting County Identity
Chapter 20: Fear / Main Street Market
Chapter 21: Heritage Day / Community Division
Chapter 22: Pens / How Do Minds Change?
Chapter 23: Moving Cattle / Flash Flood
Chapter 24: Pushing Belief / Eating From The Garden
Chapter 25: Community Theater Rehearsal / The County’s Future
Chapter 26: Climate Opinions / Desert Cattle
TRUE FALSE HOT COLD SINGLE SCREENER
A Conversation Between the Filmmakers
When screening the project, we usually also participate in Q&A sessions or moderated conversations with a host. Often in these sessions, we are able to offer audiences a lot more context and personal clarity about how we made this project and why we made it in the way we did. In order to replicate this, Ben and Colby (the director and producer) recorded a chat that covers a lot of the same ground as our live events do. Totally optional.
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Cinematography - Brennan Full, Nina Ham, Ben Stillerman
Post Production - Ben Stillerman
Production Support - Lucas Pruitt, Jenna Woolley, Jesse Ryan, Katherine Rose
Associate Producer - Colby Leopard
Director - Ben Stillerman
This project was made possible by the generous time, insight and energy of Emery County:
Wade Allinson, Derek Anderson, Kelly Austin, Tiffani Baker, Joe Begay, Kadrianne Bird, Tiffany Christensen, Darline Debry, Katherine Debry, Casey Dooms, Andrew Fry, Edward Geary, Hilary Gordon, Jace Guymon, Brittney Hansen, Tom Hansen, Joel Hatch-Jensen, David Hinkins, Dayne Howell, Shala Hunsaker, Craig Johansen, Nancy Lee Johnson, Jon Richard Judd, Tom Kay, Tory Killian, Roger Killpck, John Lemon, Sheila Lemon, Leon Mcelprang, Quinn Montgomery, Lee Moss, Nathanael Musser, Ray Petersen, Hauvala Pitchforth, Kim Player, Vaughn And Ellie Reid, Karl Rudisill, Barbara Sehestedt, Brayci Sitterud, Zac Tuttle, Gordon Ungerman, Coco Van Den Bergh, Carson Vanderherp, Ross Willberg, Kent Wilson, Kash Winn, Kaelynn Winn, Gareldine Wright
Development Support from the Rogovy Foundation
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If you want to support the work we’re doing here, you can make a tax deductible donation through this link. Whether you make a one-time donation as a thank you for this specific project, or a recurring donation as a means of supporting Social Cohesion Lab longer term, all the proceeds will go toward getting this project in front of more audiences who will learn to flex the muscle of creative and intellectual curiosity. It will be extremely appreciated!
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Please get in touch directly at info@socialcohesionlab.org if you would like to use this project as part of a class, academic event or conference. We have lots of resources we’d be happy to provide.
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View the Trailer Here