I found the title to be somewhat unrelated to this video. When you think of Durham, NC the Tar Heels and Chapel Hill come to mind first. I did not realize the gang activity and drug culture that exists there, and this presentation really brings it to life. The girls voice is powerful and gives an overall depressing tone to the story, the fact that she and many youths like her grow up in a community that is going through a big substance abuse issue. I liked the photos though that cover the police work being done, the interview with the Durham police is powerful too in bringing to life a problem that has just a few years prior not been as apparent in the community.
This story is very reminiscent of a similar one on the Jimi Hendrix impersonator, Anthony Aquarius. I found instantly the woman to be too old for the role she was playing, which does come off as kind of creepy. The statue on the other hand is an identical to the American Icon that passed away in 1962. The shots of the people’s reaction to a woman her age playing a role that is past her years is interesting. She may look similar to the statue, but she is by no means the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe.
This story was interesting, however I think it focused too much on the family aspect of things. The business is the focul point of the story, and the woman should mentions her father’s role in the history of the small St. Paul shoe shinery. Rosemary’s emotion at the loss of her father is focused too much in the piece, and while it should be mentioned, much of her speaking about the loss of a family member can perhaps be eliminated. I thought it would be interesting as well to see more of the building, customers and fellow shoe shiners. Overall the message of the story is clear though.
