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Mill Closure Devastates NC Town, Inspires Song
28 Apr
Summary
- A North Carolina town's economy was shattered by a mill's sudden closure.
- Documentary captures community's struggle with loss and identity.
- Dave Matthews wrote an original song for the film 'Papertown'.
A documentary titled 'Papertown' is set to premiere at the MountainFilm Festival on May 22. The film captures the profound impact of the sudden closure of a century-old paper mill in Canton, North Carolina. This unexpected shutdown gutted the town's economy and deeply affected its residents' shared identity.
The documentary follows the community through three turbulent months, from the initial shock of the announcement to the mill's final operational day. Details emerged of executives allegedly profiting from stock trades just days before the closure news, fueling anger and betrayal among residents as questions went unanswered.
Musician Dave Matthews penned an original song, 'Papertown,' for the documentary. The song features vocals by Sierra Ferrell, with fiddle accompaniment by Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek. Matthews described the film as heartbreaking yet hopeful, highlighting the community's resilience against systemic power imbalances.
