The fascinating documentary The Contradictions of Fair Hope has been released on DVD. Tracing the Fair Hope Benevolent Society from its beginnings in 1888 the film’s an examination of the group and how it changed into a money making carnival of vendors and prostitution. A heartbreaking story that drives a knife into an organization that helped lift up the African American society from the dregs of slavery until it became a meaningless entity. But, that’s not the whole story.
The film shows the work of Fair Hope Benevolent Society in Hale County, Alabama that includes burial services for the poor, health care to families in need, and schools for the young. The South had been neglected in these areas following the Civil War and the society filled the void. Collecting 5 cents a month to cover the cost, the Alabama communities that formed the society was at least becoming self-reliant. The society provided religious services and even joined together when the local crops were harvested. Each year they would have a time set aside for family gatherings where everyone would get together and celebrate the bounty of the crops.
Over the years the society worked diligently to help those in need up to the 1950’s when things started to change. During the 2000’s the family gatherings were renamed “Footwash” where Fair Hope Benevolent Society used their land once a year to make money by renting booths to vendors. When these gatherings grew into a carnival atmosphere where booths became a front for sex, drugs and guns the Fair Hope Benevolent Society found themselves in a downward spiral.
Directors S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf pull no punches and hide nothing about the decay of the Fair Hope Benevolent Society in their hour long presentation. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, they lay it all out on the table for all to see. Filming inside the “Footwash” gatherings we see the debauchery unsecured by local authorities with gun toting gangs unhindered in their reckless ways. Even when the police are finally brought into “Footwash” they are only there for show.
Heartbreaking and unconscionable, what was once a saver of American humanity finds itself a purveyor of inhumanity. But, the film goes on to show the righting of some of the wrong, but the viewer is left with a different kind of hope.
There is an additional 41 minutes of extras that you can examine about Fair Hope.
BONUS EXTRAS: Each of the extras is broken down by topics and includes interviews with those who are most connected with Fair Hope Benevolent Society. Some are very eye opening, others looking for solutions to the problem and lastly the rebuilding of the organization. “Spirituals”, “Prayer”, “Magic’s Girls”, “Tales of Mike Moten” and more.
The film has not been rated by the MPAA but does contain language, nudity, and adult content. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the last half of the film as it does have some scenes that are very inappropriate for adolescents.
Specifications and additional film information:
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg
Director: S. Epatha Merkerson, Rockell Metcalf
MPAA Rating: Unrated, contains language, adult material
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 1 hr 7 min
Video Release Date: January 14, 2013
Original Film Release Date:
Language: English
Format: DVD
Video: Widescreen Aspect Ration 1.78:1 adapted for 16×9 Televisions
Subtitles: None
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Shelter Island
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
