ETOWAH: A Film About Duquette Johnston hits YouTube November 3
ETOWAH will hit YouTube on November 3!
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Aug. 22, 2022) – Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema announced today that it will host a special event to commemorate a Birmingham-made film ETOWAH: A Film about Duquette Johnston during the 24th annual Sidewalk Film Festival. On Saturday, August 27, Sidewalk will host a live event with film director Daniel Fox and Johnston – a well-known musical artist around the Magic City.
The event will kick off at 7 p.m. at the Carver Theater. ETOWAH highlights the extraordinary life and unique career path of Alabama indie stalwart Duquette Johnston. A personal story with unwavering optimism, hope, and resilience at its core, ETOWAH was filmed in the heart of Birmingham and features the soulful rock and Americana sounds of Johnston’s ’06 album Etowah (reissued in 2019 on Single Lock Records) and his latest release The Social Animals, produced by John Angello (Dinosaur Jr, Waxahathcee) and featuring Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley on drums (released February, 2022 on Single Lock).
“Several years ago, I put out a record called Etowah, which was written almost entirely while incarcerated in the Etowah County Correctional Facility and serving time at a men's home,” said Johnston. “While the record and its songs are filled with beautiful stories of loss and redemption, I don’t often talk about my experience locked up in a felony unit, facing up to 10 years in the state penitentiary. It’s not a story that fits in “polite conversation.” But these are not polite times.”
Johnston met Fox and immediately the two held a connection around music, life and the journey of many spirals. The two traveled to Etowah to dive into Johnston’s experience and both passionately believe there is a bigger story to tell.
“This film is the story of how I ended up behind bars and how I came out of it,” continued Johnston. “It’s not just a redemption story. It’s a conversation about the drug laws in this country and how they disproportionately affect poor and minority communities. I hope this film can shine a light on the importance of mental health care and the practice of compassion and empathy. And that it might be expansive to someone who maybe made some mistakes in the past. And perhaps it might fall on the ears of someone who has the power of the lock and key. Change starts within.”
“The energy that radiates from Duquette is magnetic,” stated Fox. “I've felt that since the first time we met, years ago, and I think that's why so many folks gravitate towards him. He cares deeply about his family, his community, and forward progress that elevates everyone around him.”
Fox also details how the two collaborated to tell Johnston’s story – and the outcome they hoped the film would achieve.
“The criminal justice system in this country is so deeply broken, and many of the people who become justice involved are dehumanized and forgotten, never given an opportunity to voice their experiences. Duquette was almost swallowed up by that system, but he got a second chance that many folks don't receive. Our aim with this story is to express gratitude for that chance, and to pay it forward.”
Following the 30-minute film, attendees will enjoy 45-minute live performance by Johnston, including several standout tracks from The Social Animals. A Q&A session between Johnston and Fox, the film’s director, will conclude the event.
“It is an honor to debut this film at Sidewalk Film Festival in my longtime home base of Birmingham,” added Johnston. “The creative community here is beyond vibrant. It’s culture changing. And it’s a dream come true to tell this story for the first time here.”
Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema has been at the forefront of supporting local filmmakers and artists for more than two decades. The not-for-profit organization has held its annual Sidewalk Film Festival for 23 years at various locations across downtown Birmingham. This year’s festival screening locations include Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, the Alabama Theatre, the Lyric Theatre, the Carver Theatre, First Church Birmingham, the Alabama School of Fine Arts Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Recital Hall, and Lecture Hall, as well as the Steiner Auditorium at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
“We are thrilled about this year’s upcoming festival,” said Chloe Cook, executive director of Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema. “Each year, we look forward to supporting the creative individuals from across the globe in their efforts to keep the film industry alive while also giving the Birmingham community insight into the film industry and its shakers.”
For tickets to the event and more information on Sidewalk Film Festival, visit here.