iTunes / Amazon 2019 – This Is North Preston
The largest black community in the country started as a safe haven for escaped slaves but has more recently been labelled as one of the biggest hubs of pimping and human trafficking in the nation. This Is North Preston illustrates how the town of 4,000 has dealt with generations of economic struggle, pimp culture, limited government resources, violence, and constant systemic racism. Artist Just Chase paints a picture of his life in crime and the events that made him leave the street life to follow his musical dreams.
Interview with Director Jaren Hayman
Watch on Prime Video and iTunes
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
The film took many different lives from development into the edit. I was first drawn to do the movie because I thought it was such a unique story, but the more we dove deeper into the town the more I realized that it's also a very important film that our whole country should know about. The town is often misunderstood or painted with a broad brush of stereotypes without people knowing the full story.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
North Preston is the largest black community in the country that was once a safe haven for escaped slaves on the Underground Railroad but has since been painted as the biggest hub for pimping in the country. The film dives into various issues including socio-cultural aspects, police relations, pimp culture, community violence, and decades of systemic racism.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film started as a look into our main character Just Chase's upbringing in North Preston and how it shaped his life and his musical career. While filming, the many important layers of the town came to light so the film shifted and Chase's stored acted as the micro look into the town while we explored the overall macro look of North Preston. Everything Chase has gone through: crime, pimping, death, racism, economic struggle, and ultimately hope for a better future are all things the town as a whole has dealt with.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been mostly positive but of course, when you deal with the difficult subject matter, there will be those are offended or taken aback. Most of that comes from lack of understanding with what we are trying to do with the movie. The film can be difficult to watch at times, but that is so people can fully understand certain realities that are still happening in this country. We can't change anything without first understanding the how and why of things. We do not shy away from the problems the town has had, but we make sure to look at reasons for these problems and possible solutions.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want people to open their eyes to the story of North Preston. I believe it is truly the most unique town in our country and a town that is full of some amazing people. There are serious consequences that happen when a town is cut off from society as North Preston has been. The lack of economic support combined with the stereotypes and perceptions of some east coasters have had generational effects.
Interview: May 2019
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This Is North Preston
The largest black community in the country started as a safe haven for escaped slaves but has more recently been labelled as one of the biggest hubs of pimping and human trafficking in the nation. This Is North Preston illustrates how the town of 4,000 has dealt with generations of economic struggle, pimp culture, limited government resources, violence, and constant systemic racism. Artist Just Chase paints a picture of his life in crime and the events that made him leave the street life to follow his musical dreams.
Length: 1:15:00
Director: Jaren Hayman
Producer: Jaren Hayman, Steve Cameron, Noorez Lalani, Sarit Chandaria, Tariq Adi, Steve Keyzer
Looking for: journalists
Facebook: This Is North Preston
Instagram: @thisisnorthpreston
Hashtags used: #thisisnorthpreston
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Barracuda Baby Productions
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Cineplex Theatres Ontario & Nova Scotia; iTunes; Amazon; Rogers; Bell.