Visit North Carolina held a knockout event to introduce the very best that the state has to offer.
North Carolina
Raoul Peck’s Silver Dollar Road Unearths a Family’s Fight for Land Rights
Variety Gotham Week kicked off with a screening of Raoul Peck’s latest documentary Silver Dollar Road on Monday, Oct. 2 in partnership with Amazon Studios at the Angelika Film Center. Silver Dollar Road is a documentary film directed by Raoul Peck that tells the story of the Reels family in North Carolina and their decades-long battle to reclaim their ancestral land. The film sheds light on the historical injustices faced by Black families in America regarding land ownership.
The film is told through family matriarchs Mamie Reels Ellison and her niece Kim Renee Duhon who continue fighting for their families’ land even after their brothers and uncles Melvin and Licurtis are wrongfully imprisoned. Melvin and Licurtis become two of the longest-serving inmates for civil contempt in the country spending close to eight years behind bars for refusing to give up their property. Their struggle is a reflection of the broader challenges faced by Black communities across the country. Something that was once seen as invaluable has now become a commodity and the Reels stood in the way of that greed. Despite living on the land & raising their families, they were deemed inferior to those who only saw the land as property and possession.

Courtesy of Prime Video
Raoul Peck joined Variety Gotham Week for a Q&A following the film. During the Q&A he emphasized the importance of authenticity, empathy, and the enduring impact of the film. Peck highlighted his intention not to overly stylize the documentary but rather allow the Reels family to be themselves. He stressed the need to protect both the people involved in the film and the protagonist, ensuring that their story was portrayed with integrity. His goal was to avoid depicting the family as victims and, instead, to present them as parents, uncles, and human beings. By doing so, he aimed to create a connection with the audience, so that when the dramatic moments unfolded, the empathy would still be central.
Peck touched upon the broader context of land ownership and deprivation, a theme that extends beyond the Reels family’s experience. He noted that many people have come from land somewhere and were deprived of it, often involving their parents. This phenomenon is not confined to rural areas but also manifests in cities through gentrification, where marginalized communities are pushed out.

Courtesy of Prime Video
In the context of Beaufort, North Carolina, where the film is primarily set, Peck noted that the town’s residents generally know each other, implying a sense of familiarity and community. However, beneath this surface of familiarity lies a deeper issue related to racial and economic disparities. This is where the power structure comes into play.
Peck observed that despite the close-knit nature of the community, the Black population in Beaufort was disproportionately affected by land dispossession. These disparities reflect a broader pattern in America that particularly affects Black Americans and their access to economic justice. In his own words, Peck emphasized that the film isn’t just a story but a lasting memory. He didn’t want the film to be a detached narrative but he also wanted people to care for the characters as much as he did.
Silver Dollar Road will be available to stream on Prime Video 10/20 and open for viewing 10/13 in select theaters
When consumers normally think about auto racing first thing that comes to mind are zooming vehicles speeding around a track at the speed of lightening.
Inspired by the hit Dreamworks film, ‘Boss Baby’, Charlotte, North Carolina’s own DaBaby (Baby Jesus) unveils the fifth installment of his popular series, titled, ‘Baby Talk 5’.
North Carolina’s Panther Poorsche Exhibits Deadly Thoughts on New Video, “Laterly”
North Carolina is hot right now with the industries breakout stars. One of the main new stars is fast-rising recording artist Panther Poorsche. Today, the up-and-coming star releases his thriller for the new single, “Lately”.
Also known by the moniker Baby Jesus, Charlotte, North Carolina’s Da Baby has grown into a mainstay with his collections of buzzworthy singles. Continuing to capitalize on the popularity, Da Baby unveils more North Carolina heat with his new video, “Itch”.
Hailing from the Home of the Brave, Brownsville, New York. Rising female emcee JuJu is ready to be unleashed as the next big thing to come out of her neck of the woods since M.O.P. with the release of her new video, “Get’em”.