At a time when America stood on the brink of division, a small team of filmmakers embarked on a journey unlike any other. Their purpose was singular: to understand the hidden forces driving a nation in turmoil. Led by director Thisara Pinto, the team set out across the country to document the raw, human truth behind the unrest.

For over 200 days, the team navigated the streets of cities like Portland, Kenosha, and Washington, D.C.—places transformed into battlegrounds of ideology, fear, and frustration. Through clouds of tear gas and amidst powerful chants for justice, they captured moments of tension and reflection, always striving to go beyond the noise. Their goal was to uncover the deep undercurrents—the unconscious biases and unspoken fears—that fuel conflict across the spectrum of social and political ideologies.

Their film, Revelations in Tear Gas, isn’t a typical chronicle of protests or a straightforward recounting of events. It’s a profound exploration of the unseen forces shaping our responses to conflict. Through the lens of protests, history, and conflict, the film examines human nature—how deeply rooted emotions like fear, anger, and the need for control can lead to division. The crew didn’t just film the protests; they delved into the psyche of a nation, questioning how these emotions, left unexamined, can drive individuals and entire societies into opposition.

Drawing from his experiences growing up in war-torn Sri Lanka, Thisara offers a unique perspective. He has seen firsthand how conflicts can tear at the fabric of humanity, and he approaches the material with a blend of empathy and insight. His team’s work reflects this vision. Each frame, each interview, is carefully constructed to peel back the layers of what’s really happening—not just on the streets, but within the hearts and minds of the people they film.

Creating this work was a journey that unfolded over time, shaped by the profound complexities the team sought to understand as they immersed themselves in the layers of emotion and unrest across the nation. Realizing that capturing these intricacies required patience and a willingness to step back, they embraced the process without imposing timelines, ensuring that every moment resonated with the depth and nuance the subject deserved. As a small and dedicated team deeply committed to honoring the significance of this cause, this approach allowed them to see more deeply into the shared human experiences at the heart of these divisions.

What makes Revelations in Tear Gas stand out is its refusal to reduce the narrative to a simplistic battle between good and evil. Instead, the documentary highlights the complexity of human behavior. The anger of protesters and the actions of law enforcement that catalyzed these protests weren’t opposing forces—they were two branches of the same tree, both rooted in the same unexamined emotions. The film asks a critical question for each individual: How can we challenge the destructive tendencies in others if we fail to recognize these tendencies in ourselves?