A Day in the Life of America

Premiered January 11, 2021

Directed by

Jared Leto

July 4th, 2017: 92 film crews, 24 hours, a snapshot of a nation on the verge of upheaval.

EXPLORE THE FILM

About the Documentary

Director Jared Leto crafts a sweeping yet intimate cross-section of America shot on a single July 4th in 2017 with 92 film crews fanning out across each of the United States and Puerto Rico to capture A Day in the Life of America. A gargantuan production shot over a single 24 hour period across the country, the film weaves a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds into a rich tapestry of life.

Black Louisianans talk about historic inequities that greeted soldiers returning to their homes after World War II, while a transgender woman recounts her coming out to her Hasidic Jewish community. A First Nations ceremony takes place in South Dakota while a Muslim girl in Minnesota trains at a boxing gym. A blunt young woman reflects on the opioid epidemic’s repercussions in West Virginia while, eerily, preparations are made for the hateful and ultimately murderous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia a month later. One man in Chicago describes the versions of the United States he witnesses: “One that’s great and beautiful and idealistic. And there’s an America that doesn’t quite mesh up with the ideals.”

Contrasting the myths and ideals of America with the harsh reality for most people, A Day in the Life of America is a deep and unflinching look at a country on the verge of upheaval.

The Filmmaker

Jared Leto is an actor, musician, director, and entrepreneur. His extensive work as an actor has included a host of transformative performances. Leto’s role in Dallas Buyers Club earned him over 40 Best Supporting Actor honors including an Academy Award. His work as a director has also garnered him accolades including winning the People’s Choice Awards for Best Documentary for Artifact and over a dozen MTV VMA awards for his work in music videos.

Full Credits