Podcast Summary: "Creede, USA: A Community in Conversation"

Duologue with Leslie Heaney
Episode Date: November 5, 2025
Guests: Kahane Cooperman & Innbo Shim (Filmmakers)
Host: Leslie Heaney

Overview

In this episode, Leslie Heaney sits down with Emmy-winning filmmakers Kahane Cooperman and Innbo Shim to discuss their documentary Creede, USA. The film explores the unique dynamics of Creede, a tiny remote mining town in Colorado, where conservative locals coexist with an influx of progressive theater people each summer. Set against divisive national issues like gun control and gender identity, Creede, USA investigates how a community can maintain civility and respect across stark ideological divides—a microcosm offering hope in today’s polarized America.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Creede, Colorado – A Microcosm of America

[00:02 – 07:39]

• Background: Creede is a town of just 300 residents, located at 9,000 ft in the San Juan Mountains, and the last silver boom town in Colorado.
• History: The mining economy faltered in the 1960s, prompting community leaders to establish the Creede Repertory Theatre as a way to revitalize the town.
  • “It’s the kind of place that’s so off the grid... you need to want to go there.” – Kahane Cooperman [03:18]
• Transformation: Over 60 years, the theater brought waves of students and artists, creating a unique balance between old Western mining families and a diverse, progressive summer population.

2. The Birth and Role of Creede Repertory Theatre

[07:39 – 11:14]

• Evolution: Initially met with skepticism, the theater has become core to the town’s economy and identity.
  • “With a theater comes theater people, where things get interesting.” – Kahane Cooperman [07:53]
• Cultural Exchange: The annual influx brings people of color and LGBTQ individuals into a mostly conservative, predominantly white, rural town.

3. The Filmmakers’ Discovery Process

[08:47 – 15:20]

• Motivation: Kahane’s curiosity stemmed from seeing a New York Times article and questioning, “How does a theater company survive—and thrive—in such a remote, conservative place?” [08:56]
• Fieldwork: Early visits involved honest, open conversations with residents, focusing on building trust and seeking to understand local pride and history.
• Collaboration: Kahane and Innbo first connected over career advice, which led to a dynamic filmmaking partnership based on mutual empathy and open-mindedness.

4. Human-Centered Documentary Filmmaking

[15:20 – 19:59]

• Empathy as Method: The filmmakers never asked about political affiliations, focusing on commonalities and lived experiences instead.
  • “If I had had an agenda or if my goal had been to change people’s minds... I would not have gotten all the yeses that I got.” – Kahane Cooperman [19:59]
• Surprise Factor: Nearly every subject contradicted initial assumptions—a testament to the complexity of individuals beyond political stereotypes.

5. Finding the Narrative Through the School Board

[23:54 – 33:41]

• Organic Story Arc: The local school board became the narrative centerpiece, serving as an arena where town issues (guns in schools, comprehensive health curriculum including LGBTQ topics) played out in real-time.
  • “The Board of Ed itself was that middle of the Venn diagram...where all the voices came together having really respectful, civil discourse, but intense, around really timely issues.” – Kahane Cooperman [29:25]
• Main Subject: A theater employee from Jersey City elected to the school board personifies the blending of outsider and insider perspectives.

6. Representing Disagreement and Respect

[31:24 – 34:35]

• Debate over health curriculum content illuminates the challenge and necessity of coexisting with differing beliefs.
  • “You film these conversations...and [then] you’d interview the people separately...and she said, ‘I vehemently disagree...but you know, when I had my baby, that person dropped off food for me.’” – Leslie Heaney [32:49]
• The recurring theme: relationships and care persist even amid heated debates.

7. Change, Stagnation, and the Power of Proximity

[34:20 – 39:35]

• Incremental Shifts: While worldviews don’t always radically change, personal respect and mutual aid thrive due to continual face-to-face interaction.
  • “You see the impact of people having to speak to each other face to face...and also what it takes for someone to change their opinion over time.” – Innbo Shim [35:00]
• A Spark of Hope: The town exemplifies how common ground and community service soften divides.

8. Lessons for Broader America

[39:35 – 46:44]

• Bonded by Place: Shared love of community underpins respect and coexistence, offering a model (however imperfect) for national healing.
  • “If we don’t talk to each other, we’re doomed, is what I think.” – Kahane Cooperman [40:32]
• Nuanced Realism: The film doesn’t claim Creede is a utopia, but it celebrates the ongoing effort to “do the hard work” of relationship-building across difference.

9. Personal Reflections & Takeaways

[41:52 – 47:57]

• Empathy and Safety: Innbo reflects on the need for safe community spaces, and how living only among like-minded people can stunt difficult but necessary conversations.
  • “You will never really change someone’s opinion by sending them an article...it’s about having hard conversations and seeing each other.” – Innbo Shim [44:13]
• Universality: The issues and the need for compassionate dialogue are everywhere, from big cities to the smallest towns.

10. Film Reception and Continued Conversation

[48:25 – 53:23]

• Wider Release: Creede, USA has toured film festivals nationwide, earning praise for its hopeful message and authenticity, and sparking real debate and tears at Q&As.
  • “People get emotional from this film because I think they get inspired and they feel a little hope. And that's a really great thing to be providing for people.” – Kahane Cooperman [50:57]
• Where to Watch/Follow: Follow @CreedeUSAFilm on Instagram and Facebook for festival updates and upcoming screenings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker |
|-----------|-------|---------| | 03:18 | “It’s the kind of place that’s so off the grid... you need to want to go there.” | Kahane Cooperman | | 07:53 | “With a theater comes theater people, where things get interesting.” | Kahane Cooperman | | 19:59 | “If I had had an agenda or if my goal had been to change people’s minds... I would not have gotten all the yeses that I got.” | Kahane Cooperman | | 29:25 | “The Board of Ed itself was that middle of the Venn diagram...where all the voices came together having really respectful, civil discourse, but intense, around really timely issues.” | Kahane Cooperman | | 40:32 | “If we don’t talk to each other, we’re doomed, is what I think.” | Kahane Cooperman | | 44:13 | “You will never really change someone’s opinion by sending them an article...it’s about having hard conversations and seeing each other.” | Innbo Shim | | 50:57 | “People get emotional from this film because I think they get inspired and they feel a little hope. And that's a really great thing to be providing for people.” | Kahane Cooperman |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Creede’s History & Theater’s Impact: [03:07 – 07:39]
• Filmmakers’ Motivation and Process: [08:47 – 15:20]
• Building Trust & Community Dynamics: [15:20 – 19:59]
• Discovery of Narrative Focus (School Board): [23:54 – 33:41]
• Debate and Civility in Practice: [34:20 – 39:35]
• Wider Relevance and Takeaways: [39:35 – 46:44]
• Film Reception and Next Steps: [48:25 – 53:23]

Final Reflections

Creede, USA stands as both a cinematic love letter to a unique mountain town and a timely meditation on finding shared humanity within difference. Kahane Cooperman and Innbo Shim challenge listeners (and viewers) to reflect on the importance of proximity, ongoing dialogue, and empathy—values that may point a way out of division even beyond Creede’s borders. The film offers hope not by promising solutions, but by modeling perseverance and respect.

To learn more or to catch the film at a festival:

• Instagram & Facebook: @CreedeUSAFilm

“Maybe Creede should write a manual for Thanksgiving dinner.” – Leslie Heaney [41:47]