In the Central Midwest, you can do more than wonder — you can grow, create, and redefine what’s possible. Free to Wonder explores a region in motion, where traditions ground us, and transformations move us forward.
Through the stories of everyday Midwesterners, this documentary reflects how we live, work, and connect across a place too often misunderstood. From quiet moments of reflection to bold leaps toward the future, Free to Wonder reveals a heartland shaped by resilience, creativity, and community.
At Urban Plains, we’re rewriting the Central Midwest narrative. We celebrate the familiar while spotlighting the people, ideas, and movements reshaping our region. This film invites young adults — and the next wave of Midwest professionals — to see their home with fresh eyes. Because here, it’s not just a place that inspires wonder. It’s a place where you’re free to pursue it.
Credits
Directed and Produced by:
JJ Gruettemeyer
Featuring:
Matthew Pollock
Doug Bolnick
Adam Kloppe
JJ Gruettemeyer
Title Card by:
Reno Valentino
Music Licensed Via:
bensound.com
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Artist – Benjamin Tissot
Artist – Diffie Bosman
Additional Footage Courtesy of:
mixkit.co
pexels.com