In MOVERS & SHAPERS, a real-life 'Canterbury Tales' unfolds in the 21st century as an eclectic group gathers around the world to participate in the old-time music tradition of shape-note singing. Directed by Timothy Morton, this experiential documentary captures the striking harmony between a punk, a preacher, a queer activist, a confederate, a musicologist, a Mennonite, and a farmer, chronicling their idiosyncrasies and interconnected lives.

The film spans over a dozen states and Canada, offering a series of vivid character portraits that delve into the contradictory and connected lives of these individuals. From flipped tractors and dumpster diving to tarot card reading and chemotherapy, MOVERS & SHAPERS paints an intimate picture of modern culture through the lens of those preserving America's original folk music tradition.

Punctuated by the raw, unconstrained sound of shape-note singing, the film interweaves emotional vignettes that evoke a profound sense of stark poetry and deep emotion: "And am I born to die...", "You are hast'ning on to death's dark gloomy shade...", "Your joys on earth will soon be gone...", and "Where nature all in ruin lies."

MOVERS & SHAPERS is a journey into the heart of America's original folk music, offering a glimpse into the varied lives of those who shape its future.