In My Omaha, former journalist Nick Beaulieu returns to his hometown of Omaha to reconnect with his father, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. As the documentary progresses, viewers gain insight into their relationship and how their political affiliations shape their opinions. My Omaha is not just about two people sharing what they feel like, it’s also about how a father and a son could be poles apart while living in the same area. Moreover, it also talks about the city’s growing racial justice movement. Throughout the documentary, viewers see conversations where Nick’s father tries to tell him how he is being fed lies by the liberal media and politicians, taking America back to a time when things were not as good as they are now. The conversations between Nick and his father mirror our society and the kind of relationships we share with our loved ones during such divisive times.
It’s one of those documentaries where you pick a side, whether you are on Nick’s side or the side of his father. However, when the documentary comes to an end, you feel bad for both of them. Having such conversations with your father can be a daunting task, but Nick took a leap of faith and recorded these conversations to give everyone an idea about how things can be similar in our households as well. The documentary premiered at this year’s Slamdance Film Festival, and I got a chance to sit down with Nick Beaulieu to discuss My Omaha and its themes. He opened up about the conversations he had with his father before he passed away due to cancer.
The Interview with My Omaha’s Nick Beaulieu
[Editor’s Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.]
Aayush Sharma: It’s not easy to talk to someone who has views that are opposite to what you do. But talking to your own father is much more difficult than that. Why did you feel that you needed to include him in this conversation and not just talk about what’s happening outside your household?
Nick Beaulieu: I think that the jumping-off point was that I realized these different opinions we had were really affecting our relationship in a major way. So, I felt that in order for us to truly connect in the way I wanted—especially as he got sick and I realized that my dad didn’t have as much time left as I wanted—it was important that we talked about all the things we disagreed on and the things we differed on so that we could better understand each other. By doing that, I think it’s able to actually show people not only that it’s possible, but also, in a much more emotional way, helps you engage with the issues—more so than if you were to just look at them without seeing people struggle with it in a more personal way.
Aayush Sharma: Was there a moment in filming where you felt the most conflicted, whether in your activism, your conversations with your father, or your own evolving perspective?
Nick Beaulieu: It’s a good question. I mean, I think I felt conflicted when I started really pushing my dad to go to certain things and to talk about certain topics that, you know, we otherwise wouldn’t do—especially as he was juggling some of the other things with his illness and seeing other people. But at the same time, I think that helped him understand where I was coming from. And then it also gave me an understanding of, oh, he is open-minded, and he’s willing to have a dialogue in these areas. So, yeah, I think anytime that you’re having conversations like this, you’re going to have doubts and second-guess yourself because it’s very uncomfortable. But once you go through that, then in the future, you’re not actually uncomfortable anymore because you kind of broke through that point of tension, you know. So I still encourage anyone to do that.
Aayush Sharma: During the documentary, you meet people like Leo and Cynthia, who are relentlessly fighting to expose the harsh realities of racism and prove that even small actions can spark change. In a world where ignorance and complacency often prevail, how crucial are their efforts in challenging systemic injustice, and what does it say about those who choose to stay silent?
Nick Beaulieu: You know, the work that she was doing and that that church was doing—I found it so inspiring. And it’s work that still needs to be done. You know, I think the lesson from that group and from that kind of part of the film is that everyone has a personal responsibility to try and move the needle when it comes to, you know, these issues—particularly around, you know, modern-day, like our modern-day understanding of what is racism. And a lot of that boils down to: what kind of difference can you make in your everyday life? A lot of people think that these issues are way over their heads or that they’re so systemic to the point that they can’t do anything about them. But, you know, taking an initiative within the people in your own life to, you know, bring up these topics or to have kind of gentle conversations—it does make a difference, you know. So, yeah, it’s certainly what inspired me to take the leap and kind of, you know, take it within my own home to have these conversations.
Aayush Sharma: One of the most shocking moments of the documentary is when the man sitting in one of the community meetings turns out to be a killer, Jake Gardner. When you first heard the news of him being the shooter, what was going on in your mind and how did that change you?
Nick Beaulieu: I mean, that time was such a shock in so many different ways. You know, the protests were at a level that I had never seen before in Omaha. And then, of course, to make matters worse, we hear about a protest shooting that happens, right? And so when I first saw the news, I was really shocked. And my first thought actually went to that meeting because that meeting that I filmed had always stuck out to me, even before this kind of revelation happened. Jay Gartner is someone who people in Omaha—a lot of people knew about him because he was very outspoken and kind of like a figure within the downtown business community. So he wasn’t like a stranger. So it was really surprising. And then the saga that happened afterward was super surprising. And it was very hard to keep up with all the twists and changes that were happening.
And to this day, I still look at the entire thing as a tragedy. It’s a tragedy for James Scurlock and his family. It’s a tragedy for Jay Gardner and his family. At the end of the day, I think it really represents the sort of polarization of the current moment—that in this event, you know, this thing happened, and we’re never going to know the full story. And people are still pitted against each other on both sides when it comes to how they think about it.
Aayush Sharma: Your father always talked about knowing the truth. Now that the film has been made and it’s out, did you get to know or do you even think about what kind of truth he was talking about?
Nick Beaulieu: I think for him, the truth is referring to a specific kind of philosophy and doctrine of his political worldview, which is essentially like conservatism and a sort of faith-based outlook. So I knew that, I always knew that that’s what he considered to be the truth. And when someone is that sort of, like, locked in, it’s very difficult for them to understand or come around to the idea that there might be different versions of it or that it’s like there’s not just one truth in this kind of scenario. So, that was a bit of an impasse, to be honest. And that is why, especially in the film, we don’t really press on beyond that point, because there was no budging to be had at that point. It was like a recognition of the impasse and a decision to, “OK, well, if this is where you stand, this is where I stand.” What can we ultimately do to still get closer and better understand each other? And that’s ultimately when we started talking more about ourselves and about our background and our history together. But we had to get through those initial hurdles to be able to get to the other stuff.
Aayush Sharma: The entire documentary is deeply political. However, when I watched it, I noticed that you deliberately kept politicians out of the narrative. Was that a conscious decision from the beginning, or did it evolve during the filmmaking process?
Nick Beaulieu: Oh, it’s a—it’s a great insight. I had actually never thought about that till you raised that. I mean, I would say in Omaha, during my, you know, filming and investigation, I tried to talk to everyone I could that I felt like was connected to the political sphere and also the racial justice sphere. And I actually, at times, did interview politicians—they just didn’t make the final cut. I think it’s because, like, this film is really about, like, the people and everyday people. And I felt like—I feel like—when you interview or hear from politicians, like, you’re getting this sort of, like, a kind of sanitized message or a script or something that just is inauthentic in a way. Every time you hear someone speak in this film, it’s—it’s emotional and from the heart. And that was what we kind of used as our guiding light. We want every interaction in this film to really feel like an exchange between two people that is honest and open and inauthentic. And so as—as I come through, eight years of conversations and recordings, that’s the stuff that I gravitated towards. And—and I think that politics obviously still shines through, but it’s just filtered through the people rather than through any of the political leaders.
Aayush Sharma: Your conversation with your father was deeply emotional. But at the Omaha parade, you spoke with two elderly women who had witnessed both riots in the city and held a more liberal perspective. With these contrasting viewpoints—your conservative father and these women advocating for change—what went through your mind while making the film?
Nick Beaulieu: A lot of it was a learning process for me to understand, like, history—and particularly Omaha’s history, specifically, like, the history of race in Omaha. And the city is so segregated—it’s still pretty segregated. And that was, like, such an initial motivation to start the film. But yet, I didn’t—and when I started that, I didn’t understand all the historical factors that influenced that, you know, whether it be the riots like those women talk about, or redlining policies, or other sorts of, like, kind of just racist laws of the time. So, so much of it was me learning things that I had never just known about, whether it was from not being taught them at school or not hearing about them at home. And I think when it comes to, like, balancing that with the conservative perspective, you know, I was doing a lot of that in college. That’s where, um, you know—that’s why A Time for Burning and Bill Jersey and that film is such a prominent part of my movie. Because I discovered that film, you know—this historical film about a church attempting to integrate in 1965. That was such an educational moment for me when it came to me, kind of, like, re-evaluating my own political leanings. And that was really the springboard that kind of then led me on my present-day investigation.
Aayush Sharma: Many films about activism focus solely on external change, but My Omaha turns the lens inward. What were the challenges of exposing your own vulnerabilities in such a politically charged story?
Nick Beaulieu: It was hard, you know. It’s just very hard to be honest and authentic in general, but then also to put it on camera, um, and hold yourself to it. Also, to do the same with your family members about topics that are so touchy that someone can judge you for if you misspeak, or if you have a certain opinion about this or that, or a family member does about this or that. I mean, I can’t tell you how kind of conflicted I’ve felt about that. But what’s been really healing about doing it is, so many people see—see the film and they feel incredibly, validated and seen and heard through the experience, because it’s not really represented right now. You don’t see many stories that deal with—deal with this issue and actually show what it looks like. They show the conversations, they show the awkward silences, they show the frustrations and the anger in the moments of disconnect. So, I’m really proud to have put that out there so that other people can see it and relate to it. And—and that’s really what allowed this to be possible between me and my dad. I think we both saw it as a service so that other people could see our story and learn from it and try to make a change in their own lives. It’s been super, super gratifying that the response has kind of, you know, backed up our—our—our motivation for doing it.
Aayush Sharma: In 2025, open racism is still present, but casual racism—subtle remarks people make without realizing their impact—remains largely unaddressed. Why do you think casual racism is still a loose topic that isn’t discussed enough?
Nick Beaulieu: That’s a great question. I think that there’s a big mindset with people that, racism doesn’t exist now because of all of the progress that’s been made and just getting, like, fair and equal rights across the board, you know? I know that a big philosophy held on the conservative side of things is that everyone in America has the same opportunity as—as every other American, right? So, when people think that way, it doesn’t seem like it’s a real problem anymore. I think a big problem when it comes to casual racism as it pertains to prejudiced and bigoted comments is that we now have elected leaders in America that say those things, you know? I mean, starting with the president all the way down. So, unfortunately, people have been emboldened in the last eight years to, um, talk like that. And it’s why you see the emergence of hate groups in all kinds of different facets, like marching around different cities in America or protesting in certain areas. There’s been a total breakdown in the sort of policing of, uh, you know, these kinds of comments on social media. So there are so many different factors that play into that. It’s like, I think it’s why doing this kind of work is more important than ever, because it’s like, I feel like we’re backsliding when it comes to the progress that was made.
Aayush Sharma: Your documentary explores racism, but one of its most powerful scenes is when your family is in church, sitting together as the pastor prays, knowing your father has cancer. As a son and a filmmaker, how difficult was it for you to witness and record that moment?
Nick Beaulieu: That scene is one of my favorites in the film because I think it really captured the weight of the moment and also the sort of spiritual nature of that moment. It was very conflicting because I felt like I had a responsibility as a son to be present and—and in the moment and there for my dad and also for my—for my other family. At the same time, I also knew as a filmmaker that this was a really important moment in my dad’s story and something that I wanted to document, and that I just knew that it was going to come across really powerfully on film. And so, it’s really kind of a miracle how it happened. But to be honest with you, I set up the camera on the tripod, framed it the way I wanted to, and hit record. There was no one behind it. I didn’t even honestly get a chance to double-check how it looked, but I just trusted that. I said, okay, now that I’ve recorded this, I have to surrender, and I just need to be present and be in this moment. If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I can live with that. But I had to kind of, like, prioritize the real-life moment for what I was going to get on the screen. So, I just feel it was a miracle that we got it in the way we did.
Aayush Sharma: My Omaha is deeply personal, documenting not just activism but also your relationship with your father. What was the emotional toll of making this film, and did you ever consider stepping away from the camera?
Nick Beaulieu: I appreciate you asking that. A lot of people don’t really don’t really go there. The emotional toll was pretty high. I mean, it was eight years of my life and a lot of sacrifice, a lot of, , financial strain, a lot of creative frustrations. You know, it took a toll on certain relationships in my family. It took away from my social life in a major way. But I will say, I don’t think I really ever wavered. I mean, I never thought I was not going to finish. That’s what always kept me going, as I said, no matter how this turns out, I have to finish it. And I have to finish it in a place where I feel good about the final product. However long it takes is how long it’s going to take. So, I never thought about stopping. Maybe if I had taken a few more breaks, it would have been good for my mental health, you know. I have to give a lot of credit to my friends and family, and a lot of people in my life who helped keep me going and were very encouraging. A lot of those people got to see the film when it premiered, and it meant the world to me for them to see it and for them to see all the hard work that paid off. A lot of people have reached out just to express their excitement and their pride in it. It’s made the whole struggle worth it. You know, when—when all that love starts to flow back to you.
Aayush Sharma: One of the most emotional and touching moments was your visit to Bill Jersey, seeking guidance and wisdom. While we see parts of it in the documentary, on a personal level, how did that conversation impact you, both in terms of your filmmaking journey and your own mental and emotional well-being?
Nick Beaulieu: Yeah, the conversation with Bill Jersey was one of the most healing parts of my entire film journey and also just, like, in general, in my life. Because not only did I admire him so much, but I realized in getting to know Bill that we had such similar backstories. Not only because he was a filmmaker, but he told me a lot about how he grew up and about his relationship with his dad, and I realized that we had really gone through similar things. So what you see in the film, is—obviously, it was very moving and healing—about Bill, you know, giving his encouragement and also, like, kind of letting me know that I had done what I needed to do. But even beyond that, like, what you don’t see on screen was a lot of lessons he gave me about just how to live independently and freely and how to take risks and how to be comfortable in your own skin and kind of how to come to terms with the price you pay to be an authentic person. I will be forever indebted to that, and I’m so glad that it turned out to be a key part of the film story because in my own personal life, it was a huge moment for me. And a lot of people are resonating with that when they watch it. I can’t—still—even really can’t find the right words to express how important that is to me.
Aayush Sharma: Now that the film is out in the world, do you see it as a completed project, or do you feel it’s part of an ongoing conversation that you will continue to explore in your work?
Nick Beaulieu: We have a lot of plans to get the film out in every different angle. So, we want to continue playing at more film festivals. We want to get the film into places like churches and community organizations, and other kinds of institutions that bring people together to have conversations. I think that’s where it can really be the most impactful. At the end of the day, when that journey is done—those two pieces, you know—we want to make the film as widely available as possible. You know, so that people can rent it or buy it and have it at home, or give it to a friend. So, yeah, it’s an exciting part of the process to kind of, like, finally have liftoff and now to see: OK, you know, how can we take this around and make as much impact as we can? Because we really think that the film has the potential to generate really important conversations and hopefully make a difference for some people.
My Omaha recently screened at the Slamdance Film Festival.
Learn more about the film at the Slamdance site for the title.
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