A Feature-Length Documentary

The 2004 Presidential Election was one of the
most politically divisive moments in recent
American history. Amidst the division, the
Republican Party held its first ever convention
in New York City, a potent symbol for both
President Bush and the local progressives
energized to defeat him.

Using the convention and the animated reaction
of New Yorkers as its backdrop, August in the
Empire State delves into the forgotten debate
over the growth of poverty in America. The film
follows two characters in the months leading up
to the convention: Paul Rodriguez, a
conservative Republican Congressional candidate
and Cheri Honkala, the National Spokesperson
for the Poor People's Economic Human Rights
Campaign, the largest grassroots organization
of poor people in the US. The film takes
the viewer behind the scenes and exposes
the people and the very personal stakes
at the heart of what divides us as a country.