The Great Experiment

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 NYC PREMIERE Tuesday, July 28 at 7:00: The screening will be followed by an on-stage conversation with filmmaker Stephen Maing More than 200 years after George Washington described the United States’ new system of democracy as the last great experiment in promoting human happiness in civil society, filmmakers Steve Maing and Eric Daniel Metzgar check up on how that is unfolding for our indivisible Republic. Traversing the nation over a four-year period during the tenure of the nation’s 45th president, Maing and Metzgar observe deep and often fractious conflict among citizens, many of whom hold deeply personal interpretations of the founding fathers’ vision. Yet through their objective, calm, and even-handed approach, the filmmakers offer a counterpoint to the daily hysteria of public discourse. Each morning marks a new dawn in America, and the great experiment endures—sustained by the optimism, hopes, and dreams of its people. Screening as part of DOC NYC Selects: Summer 2026 IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.