July 21, 2022 – Small Town, City Blues is a short documentary film that talks about the phenomenon of gentrification in Cumberland, BC from the perspective of some of the musicians and artists who have called this Vancouver Island village home, and who helped to make it a popular destination for home buyers and developers.
“Familiar faces and original songs give voice to a scenario in dire need of the spark of community action,” says a spokesperson for Elevate, the funder of this independent film project.
“Small Town, City Blues frames an important question that the community is actively looking for answers to. Cumberland’s successes have a shadowy side, one that threatens the energy and creativity that brought us to this point in time.”
The film’s premiere was held in Cumberland on March 5, 2022, and featured live music from some of the artists featured in the film including Corwin Fox, Bobby Herron, Dan Criderman, Meaghan Cursons and Gord Carter.
“The film gives a clear insight into the politics of change as it relates to property acquisition in Cumberland (and elsewhere). The Sense of Place is immaculately pulled off. Two thumbs up,” says Simon Gunn of RadioActive Artists.
Produced and conceived by Bobby Herron and directed by Chukwumuobi Obasi, the film features 100% made in Cumberland music. The film was an Official Selection in the Stockholm Film Festival.
WATCH: Small Town, City Blues
