W&L Documentary On Brownsburg Premieres Tonight
A new documentary film capturing the voices of one of Rockbridge County’s most storied villages will be premiered tonight, Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 in Washington and Lee University’s Elrod Commons Stackhouse Theater. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and a question-and-answer session will follow the screening.
The film was directed by W&L’s DeLaney filmmaker-in-residence Nich Perez. In his work, Perez emphasizes communitycentered filmmaking and collaborative creative practice. “The Brownsburg Conversations” was co-produced and edited with W&L film students and members of the Brownsburg community.
Built around the simple premise that “every change starts with a conversation,” the documentary turns its lens to the residents of Brownsburg – neighbors, longtime locals and newcomers – as they discuss issues, memories and hopes that shape life in their community.
The film weaves together front porch interviews, kitchen table discussions, and conversations in local churches to create an intimate portrait of a village reflecting on its past and imagining its future.
Perez explains that his work embodies “a shared process of listening, learning and ethical storytelling. ‘The Brownsburg Conversations’ celebrates the power of documentary film as a tool for connection, bringing students, artists and community members together to preserve stories, confront history and imagine collective futures.”
Local pastor and Brownsburg Community Association Co-President Loren Tate Mitchell (who appears in the film) said, “This documentary illuminates the heart of our little corner of the world with warmth, generosity and joy. Nich Perez and his students were able to capture the threads of our long history, the love of our present, and our hopes for the future. It was a delight for all of us to be a part of something so special and I hope the community enjoys it.”
