Why Make “Boomtown”?
by Chris Boebel Growing up in a succession of small towns in the middle west, I have a strong personal interest in documenting the social forces which are radically altering Branson. Some of my family members – farmers and factory workers – have been personally affected by the economic changes this film will explore. But no one can escape the reality that American society as a whole is being transformed. As the gap widens between rich and poor, the American Dream, which promised relative prosperity to the hard-working, has been fundamentally challenged Audience The economic dream of ever-increasing prosperity may never have been a reality, but for millions of Americans it was held as a sacred truth. The 80’s and 90’s have seen the gap between the haves and have-nots widen. The recent economic “Boom” has created tens of thousands of new millionaires; yet has only recently touched the middle class – – those less fortunate see only dwindling opportunities, and narrowing government support
