Watch Be Aware! Small Town Documentary
- 2018
- 50 min
Be Aware! Small Town Documentary is a gripping and poignant documentary film directed by award-winning filmmaker, James Anderson. The documentary captures the lives of the residents of a small town in rural America, providing a poignant insight into their struggles, dreams and the challenges they face. The film highlights the struggles of the townspeople as they deal with the challenges of living in a quaint town, one that is rapidly losing population and businesses. Through candid interviews with locals, the film explores the causes and consequences of the town's decline. The film also delves into the sense of community in the town and the lengths that the locals go to keep it alive.
The documentary begins by introducing us to the inhabitants of the town - from the town's schoolteachers to its farmers, who share their experiences and opinions about the town they call home. We witness the daily routines of the residents, with their struggles and passions. The film then shifts its focus to the challenges that the town faces. The older members of the community reminisce about the good old days and how everything has changed. Businesses have been shutting down, and the younger generation is leaving the town in search of better opportunities.
The film takes a deep dive into the struggles and failures of the town's local council in attracting new businesses, implementing social programs, etc. The documentary presents a candid and personal account of how the townspeople are coping with an uncertain future. The film also includes interviews with the young adults that left the town and their poignant experiences of adapting to metropolitan life.
The documentary introduces us to a few key figures who are striving to turn the town's fortunes around. Amongst them are local activists who are working tirelessly for the betterment of their fellow neighbors. We witness a farmer's successful attempt at starting a cooperative that benefitted everyone involved, resulting in a thriving business model for other farmers to imitate.
The documentary offers an insightful representation of small-town life. We view a slice of the inhabitants' lives from up close, experiencing their simple yet satisfying daily routines. One of the most fascinating motifs in the film is the fairs and carnivals that characterize small-town America. The camera showcases the fun-fair rides and the communal atmosphere - an atmosphere that the locals are determined to hold on to.
Overall, Be Aware! Small Town Documentary is a powerful and emotional reflection on community, survival, and the human spirit. With Anderson's skillful direction and compelling interviews with locals, the audience realizes how fragile small communities can be, and the importance of community spirit in preserving the memories and local lore that make small town America so special.
The film is a thought-provoking testimony for those who have left small towns in search of larger opportunities and provides a stark reminder of the collateral damages of progress. It reminds us all that people should not be left behind as societies progress in other parts of the world. The film is a heartfelt plea to the world - a plea that hopes for change, social justice and empathy from people living in larger cities. At just over an hour long, Be Aware! Small Town Documentary may be short, but it's undoubtedly impactful, poignant, and relevant. It's a documentary that can be watched by people of all ages and backgrounds as it is a reflection on how communal spirit can make even the tiniest of towns thrive.