How the Hell We Got Here

About the Film

For much of the twentieth century, American life seemed stable and predictable. Industry provided jobs, communities grew around factories, and the country appeared confident about its future.
But beginning in the 1970s, a series of changes began to reshape the nation. Factories closed. Global trade exploded. Emerging political movements centered themselves on ideas unlike anything the country had experienced. Meanwhile, media evolved from traditional news broadcasts to a powerful ecosystem of talk radio, cable television, and eventually social media platforms designed to capture attention.
How the Hell We Got Here pieces together decades of change entirely from archived footage, showing the story as it unfolded. From economic upheaval and political realignment to the rise of social media and new forms of political identity, the film links moments rarely seen together. It doesn’t tell viewers what to think, it simply asks: how did we end up here?

About the Creator

Sam Evans is a filmmaker and researcher whose work focuses on the long-term forces shaping modern politics. Originally trained as a biochemist at the University of Exeter, Evans approaches documentary filmmaking with an analytical perspective, combining careful research with visual storytelling.

In February 2025, amid a turbulent political climate in the United States, Evans began work on How the Hell We Got Here. The goal was simple: step back from the immediate moment and examine the deeper history behind it. The film traces decades of economic, political, and cultural change, allowing the story to emerge through the events themselves.

Press & Screenings

How the Hell We Got Here is available for press screening and community exhibition.

This is a non-profit project. All archival footage is used under the doctrine of fair use for purposes of commentary and criticism.

For press inquiries or screening requests, please get in touch: