IN TRANSIT journeys into the hearts and minds of everyday passengers aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder, the busiest long-distance train route in America. Captured in the tradition of Direct Cinema, the film unfolds as a series of interconnected vignettes, ranging from overheard conversations to moments of deep intimacy, in which passengers share their fears, hopes and dreams. In the space between stations, where 'real life' is suspended, we are swept into a fleeting community that transcends normal barriers, and where a peculiar atmosphere of contemplation and community develops. To some passengers, the train is flight and salvation, to others it is reckoning and loss. But for all, it is a place for personal reflection and connecting with others they may otherwise never know.

2015, U.S., 76 minutes

THE FILMMAKERS

ALBERT MAYSLES

DIRECTOR, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Albert Maysles (1926-2015) was a pioneer of Direct Cinema who was, along with his late brother David, the first to make nonfiction feature films, where the drama of life unfolds as is without scripts, sets, interviews or narration. Among his more than 40 award-winning films are some of the most iconic works in documentary history including Salesman, Gimme Shelter and Grey Gardens.

LYNN TRUE AND NELSON WALKER

DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, EDITOR, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Lynn True and Nelson Walker are New York-based filmmakers whose work has spanned subjects in South Africa, Congo, Tibet and the U.S. Their films include Lumo (PBS/P.O.V. 2007) and the Peabody Award-winning Summer Pasture, which was called “enthralling” by The New York Times and aired on PBS/Independent Lens in 2012.

BEN WU

DIRECTOR, CO-PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Ben Wu is a director and cinematographer who splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Austin, TX. He’s an award winning documentary filmmaker, and a two time Student Academy Award winner. His commercial and documentary work has appeared on PBS, MTV, VICE, and the NY Times. Ben is a graduate of UC San Diego and received his MA in Documentary Film and Video from Stanford University. 

DAVID USUI

DIRECTOR, CO-PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER
David Usui began his career producing television for NBC, the Discovery Channel and MTV. As a filmmaker, he has contributed work to The NY Times, the Atlantic and VICE. David studied philosophy and environmental studies at Western Washington University and is currently an adjunct professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

CREDITS

DIRECTED BY
Albert Maysles
Lynn True
David Usui
Nelson Walker
Ben Wu

PRODUCED BY
Lynn True
Nelson Walker

SUPERVISING PRODUCER
Erika Dilday

STORY PRODUCER
Martha Wollner

CO-PRODUCERS
David Usui
Ben Wu

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Stephen Adler

CINEMATOGRAPHERS
Albert Maysles
David Usui
Nelson Walker
Ben Wu

EDITOR
Lynn True

ADDITIONAL CAMERA
Stephen Adler
Nicholas Canfield
Jared Usui

ASSOCIATE PRODUCERS
Nicholas Canfield
Sophie Windsor Clive
Elizabeth Rao

ASSISTANT EDITOR
David Osit

COLORIST/ONLINE EDITOR
Evan Anthony

ONLINE AND MASTERING
Framerunner

SOUND DESIGNER/SOUND RE-RECORDING MIXER
Ruy Garcia

SUPERVISING SOUND EDITOR
Branka Mrkic

SOUND EDITOR
Luciano Vignola

SOUND MIX ASSISTANT
Chris Chae

SOUND MIX FACILITIES
Upland Sound
Soundtrack NY

MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Dawn Sutter Madell

MUSIC COORDINATOR
Joyce Lin

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Stacey Farrar

LEGAL SERVICES
White & Case, LLP