Freetown
Freetown is a neighborhood founded by self-emancipated slaves and is trying to uphold its legacy. Hearing the decedent's own triumphs through living in a segregated town emphasizes the importance of their mission.
Interview with Director/Producer Kendall Outing
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Freetown is a neighborhood founded by self-emancipated slaves focusing on upholding its legacy. Hearing the descendants tell the stories of their triumphs while living in a segregated fully self-sufficient community, emphasizes the importance of their mission to protect the history of people who persevered through the Jim Crow era by relying upon the hard work and strength of each other.
Freetown is an American gem with surely much more to reveal than what can be captured in only eight minutes. It’s living proof that against all odds, unity, determination and a duty to one’s family can overcome even the bounds of slavery and Jim Crow.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film shows a prosperous side of African American history that I think is extremely important in shaping the way we view the past. Yes, undoubtedly there was struggle and hardship, but through it all, families persevered and were grateful for everything they had. I think that audiences will discover how people were able to overcome these extreme obstacles of slavery and Jim Crow, by sticking together and unifying against the struggle to create a better world for their children and generations after.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Making this documentary reinforced my personal connection to Freetown, a place I enjoyed visiting so often as a child. For the first time, I truly understood the importance of the stories my father retold about his childhood friend’s family, The Caldwells, who were so proud to first break the ground to build their family compound on the same land they still live on today. Now I better understand the fortitude that my great Aunt has, as a woman who embodies the spirit of self-motivated independence.
I think a universal theme this film embodies is that there is strength in unity. When working together to build this neighborhood and defend it from the outside world, the community was able to thrive and pass down those same values that make Freetown so important.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Before making this documentary I had a rough idea of the theme; strength in unity. When visiting the people that lived there and hearing their stories it came apparent that their value in community and family was at the forefront of their everyday lives. The Freetown Improvement Association, a small building that holds all their town meetings, is actively fighting against gentrification, for education improvement, and to maintain the legacy of those who have lived there all their lives.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been great! What matters most to me is what the people of Freetown think about it. They were so eager to tell their life story, and I feel blessed to be able to share at least bits and pieces of them.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No, not really. I learned about the history of Freetown through my father and when shooting the documentary I learned so much more. I would say the conversations I had with the residents really changed my point of view of the town. Currently, the film is just being released so I would love to hear more feedback about it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would love to gain some more connections in the indie filmmaking scene. Freetown has much more to offer than just 8:09 minutes, and to expand on the story would be amazing. I direct mostly narrative work as well and would love to connect with producers and other filmmakers regarding future work.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Film Festival Directors, Journalists and Producers.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love for audiences to support Freetown in any way they can. Right now people are buying up land and the legacy is being lost. Making Freetown's story known hopefully will get people more cognizant of where they purchase and build their new homes. At the very least they know they are on sacred hallowed ground.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How important is a legacy?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently, I am set to direct two Narrative Short films titled Jubilee and No Quarter.
Jubilee is about an alternative universe, set on New Year's eve, the year 1999, about a careless dictator ignorant of the threat of an incoming cataclysmic event, his Scribe who uses modern technology to start a new cult following, and his right-hand man battling with his own loyalty on the eve of the turn of the new millennium. How will his regime change come midnight?
No Quarter is set during the midst of the War of 1812, an escaped slave haunted by the ghost of his wife takes refuge with two soldiers, one from each army, and convinces them to help him bury his wife on free land.
Interview: February 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Freetown
Freetown is a neighborhood founded by self-emancipated slaves and is trying to uphold its legacy. Hearing the decedent's own triumphs through living in a segregated town emphasizes the importance of their mission.
Length: 8:09
Director: Kendall Outing
Producer: Kendall Outing
Writer: Kendall Outing
About the writer, director and producer:
KENDALL OUTING is a student film director completing his BFA at Florida State's College of Motion Picture Arts. Currently, he has made six short films including one documentary set to screen at the DC Independent Film Festival on March 3rd-5th 2023. He enjoys writing and directing psychological thrillers with supernatural twists to let audiences experience a new perspective. His family who has deep Southern Baptist roots constantly inspires him to make stories that focus on the supernatural and how events completely out of our control can shape the way we behave and think.
Key cast: Tony J Spencer, Clayton Greene Jr., Marie “Kess” Kane, Kevn Kess, Lillie R. Caldwell, Walter Caldwell Sr., Beatrice Caldwell
Looking for: film festival directors and producers
Instagram: @k_outing
Hashtags used: #Documentary, #History, #African-American, #Black
Website: kendallouting.com/freetown-documentary
Other: YouTube
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
DCIFF/March 2nd-5th