Papertown (2017)

For nearly a century, the paper mill in Bucksport, Maine served as the biggest and most important regional employer. This changed one winter day, when the plant shuttered, shedding over 600 well-paying blue collar manufacturing jobs. "Papertown" illustrates the impact of the mill's closing on several families-and a close-nit community forced to confront a transforming economic landscape. Many entered the mill's workforce immediately after high school, or military service. Some workers have never filled out a resume. Now, they find themselves far short of reaching retirement, and confronting an economy that's advanced without them. For these workers, there's little hope beyond unemployment, or perhaps joining the burgeoning "gig" economy. Their prospects have diminished along with America's middle class. And a way of life has disappeared. "Papertown" serves as an opportunity to meet neighbors we wouldn't otherwise know, and lay bare the bifurcation of a nation and the true costs of a winner-take-all economy. As things change, what is gained and lost? And does it have to be this way?