From National Geographic Documentary Films, Academy Award-winning director Cynthia Wade, award-winning director Sharon Liese and executive producer Giannis Antetokounmpo, THE FLAGMAKERS poses one of today’s most pressing questions: who is the American flag for? Employee-owned Eder Flag in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, sews and ships five million American flags a year. The flagmakers — locals, immigrants and refugees — stitch stars and stripes as they wrestle with identity and belonging. Sewing manager Radica, a Serbian immigrant, believes every flag has a soul. Ali, a war survivor from Iraq, is learning how to use a sewing machine after arriving in the United States just 90 days prior. Midwestern-born Barb’s genuine friendships with her immigrant co-workers belie her staunchly conservative beliefs. SugarRay, a Black man born and raised in Milwaukee, reflects on his complicated relationship with this country. Each considers: What does the American flag represent in a changing nation and world, and for whom? THE FLAGMAKERS is an intimate glimpse into the people whose hands make America’s most recognizable icon.
Cynthia Wade is an Oscar®-winning documentary director who also directs commercials and fiction films. Her new four-part docuseries “MerPeople,” about the dangerous, beautiful world of underwater performers, debuts worldwide on Netflix on May 23, 2023. Cynthia’s television documentaries include “The Flagmakers” (Disney+, Critics Choice Nominee, Oscar shortlist), “Grit” (PBS/Al Jazeera, Emmy® Nominee), “Mondays at Racine” (HBO, Oscar nominee), “Freeheld” (HBO, Oscar winner, Sundance winner), “Born Sweet” (Sundance winner, Oscar shortlist), “Shelter Dogs” (HBO), “Grist for the Mill” (Cinemax), “Growing Hope Against Hunger” (PBS, Emmy Winner), “Generation Startup” (Netflix), “Living the Legacy” (Sundance Channel). Her fiction short “Sproutland” won 15 awards. She directed three episodes of Apple TV+’s docuseries “Gutsy,” featuring Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. She is a member of DGA, AMPAS, and is represented by William Morris Endeavor (WME). She has won over 50 film festival awards worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles.
