Not Rated | 1h 15m | Documentary | 2026
If you want to show foreigners or extraterrestrials what the United States of America is all about—have them watch “Flag Day.”
Filmmakers Andrew and Melissa Shea showcase, in cinema vérité style, Three Oaks, Michigan’s 74-year tradition—the town is home to the largest Flag Day parade in the world.
What’s ‘Flag Day’?
Flag Day (June 14) is the date when, in 1777, the Stars and Stripes was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. It’s obviously hugely overshadowed by July Fourth and Juneteenth. It’s still a major affair in Three Oaks, although, as one auto mechanic notes—that used to mean a lot more before Google. Google informs us that there aren’t a lot of Flag Day celebrations in America anymore, which means Three Oaks’s celebration is a big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation.Attendees
Everyone participates variously: joining the tractor line, building floats, working on costumes. One second grader tells her teacher her favorite part is marching down the street and giving out candy to people who don’t have any candy.
Three Oaks residents are interviewed; high schoolers joke about all being possibly related to each other, and the inevitable small-town reality is sliced-and-diced—everyone knows everyone else’s business. Three generations of Three Oaks residents were driven to school by the same bus driver.
Modern Sensibilities
Watching a film like “Flag Day” these days is an unusual occurrence; it overflows with positivity, making one suspicious that the other shoe is about to drop. We’ve been conditioned by all-invasive algorithmic social media to expect divisive, disillusioning, Debbie-Downer info that details the state of our dissolving nation.
Watching the film might feel a bit like the staged and disingenuous displays organized by communist countries for visitors—as if the heartwarming community camaraderie doesn’t occur naturally and on a regular basis.
It’s the news outlets residing on the East and West coasts that are predominantly responsible for promoting and perpetuating the illusion that the entire nation is hand-wringing about gender issues, systemic racism, veganism, and climate change.
Takeaway
“Flag Day” is likely best enjoyed by those who either grew up in small towns or live in big cities and yearn for the sense of community small towns offer. The goal of “Flag Day” is to reminisce about America’s small-town community and patriotism and wonder if it still matters. Clearly, it does.With the state of the world today, it’s kind of a no-brainer. “Flag Day” is a good way to reflect on the American way—the way the Founding Fathers imagined it—as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this July 4.
