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"Papertown," a documentary directed by Jeremy Seifert with co-director Benjamin James Roberts, is set to premiere at the MountainFilm Festival on May 22. The film documents the closure of a 115-year-old paper mill in Canton, North Carolina, which led to the collapse of the town's economy and forced its residents to confront the loss of their shared identity and rediscover it.
Original Song by Dave Matthews Adds a Musical Dimension
Musician Dave Matthews wrote an original song titled "Papertown" specifically for the film. The track features vocals by Sierra Ferrell and Sarah Watkins of the band Nickel Creek, with Watkins also playing the violin. Matthews described the film as "stunning and sad but hopeful despite the injustice imposed by a class system controlled by distant powers."
Documenting a Shocking Moment in Local Community History
The documentary captures the events following the sudden announcement of the mill's closure, during which the town experienced three months of economic and social turmoil. The film reveals compelling details about officials who exploited insider information to profit through stock trading before the announcement, intensifying feelings of anger and betrayal among residents.
Director Seifert stated, "We participated in documenting the experience of the mill workers and the local community as soon as they learned about the closure. Our motivation was our belief in the importance of this chapter in Appalachian history." He added that the film focuses on the people and the community, expressing his excitement to share the story with the world.
The film was produced with support from the Ford Foundation, the Catapult Film Fund, and the MountainFilm Festival. Producers include Chris Pruitt, Seifert, and Colby Saxton, while Ryan Sovern serves as executive producer.
This news has been re-edited based on a report published by variety.com, maintaining the core facts presented in the original source.
