Homegrown: Bearing Witness to a Nation on the Brink

Occhi Magazine turns its lens to Homegrown, the celebrated documentary capturing the raw, shifting realities of American identity and political belonging at a pivotal moment in history. Directed by Michael Premo, this award-winning film immerses viewers in the battleground communities and personal journeys that have shaped the nation’s recent political landscape. Set for North American release on January 6, 2026, the five-year anniversary of the Capitol attack.

Homegrown follows the lives of three conservative activists—a father-to-be from New Jersey, an Air Force veteran in New York City, and a Texas organizer—whose convictions propel them to the front lines during the tumultuous summer of 2020. As doubts about the election’s outcome grow, their activism intensifies, painting a haunting portrait of a democracy under strain. Since its international debut at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won Best Technical Contribution, the film has earned accolades at top festivals and sparked vital conversations about the forces shaping America’s future. “We set out to make an honest, no-judgment study of the people heeding the clarion call of us-vs-them politics,” says Premo. Producer Rachel Falcone echoes, “This film isn’t just about a single day—it’s about the forces that led us there, the people compelled to act, and the unresolved tensions that will define who we are as a country.”

For more information, to watch the trailer, or to preorder, visit Homegrown.film.