Published: October 13, 2008 04:00 am         

In film, OHS grad focuses on election

A recently-released documentary co-produced and written by a former Oneonta man explores the divide between left and right, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans _ and blue states and red states.

``Split: A Divided America'' will be screened Tuesday and Wednesday nights at Foothills Performing Arts Center as part of the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts' Autumn FilmFest.

The documentary depicts the cross-country journey of writer/director/producer Kelly Nyks as he interviews everyday Americans, as well as scholars, mainstream media pundits and political activists, on how they view the divide.

The interview list includes television commentator Tucker Carlson, civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Jr., MIT linguist and political dissident Noam Chomsky, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, comedian, talk show host and U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken and many others.

The documentary also weaves in historical context and cultural imagery.

"The film is designed to help people ask the right questions more so than to provide them with answers," said Peter Hutchison, who graduated from Oneonta High School in 1983 and helped write and produce the film.

Hutchison now lives in New York City and works in the independent film industry.

The film has a touch of humor that Hutchison said is designed to add to the entertainment value.

Nyks, also of New York City, begins his journey by mini-van by stating the questions he intended to ask: How are we divided?

See FILM on Page 8