Close in location and similar in theme to my project about Searcy hospital, I recently watched the Nickle Boys movie. The artistic approach used to retell this story was groundbreaking on so many levels. No one warned me how difficult it would be to watch, and although I wanted to throw up for weeks after viewing, I believe it’s one of the most important accounts of Southern history created in the last decade, mainly because of how it so blatanly shows what is possible at any time in history within race-based, government-sanctioned systems of abuse.
Likely because of the similar elements of a small mountain-dwelling religious community in my above-mentioned project (The Promised Land) - another film that has had me in a chokehold ever since viewing is Vermiglio. Astounding beauty, sublte and understated but compelling nonetheless. I’m so glad I got to see it on a big screen.
*Pro tip: if you’re a Birmingham Alabama local and don’t see movies at Sidewalk Theater downtown, you’re missing out on of the best films coming to town.
As far as music goes, my best friend, Detroiter, and musician / producer Vespre has started an incredible newsletter, Vespre Radio. If you’re in need of sometimes escoteric, always soulful, deep-cut, romanticly-curated playlists, then you will no longer be in lack.
On the Southern side of music, cheesy though it may be, I’ve had this Ricky Skaggs gospel song from my way-back roots stuck in my head for three days and it feels so right for… everything right now.
