Director Hanson Hosein, a former NBC News journalist, decided to go “independent” a few years ago and delve into independent filmmaking. His first major project (and search for courage) was the documentary, “Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop.” This cross-country road trip uncovered a “growing insurgency” against corporate chain retail in the American heartland.
Since then, that “insurgency” has become a social movement with skyrocketing energy prices and food scares. Many Americans now see the value of “local first.” While working on the first film back in 2005, a regrettable decision was made to by-pass New Orleans to make it to Bentonville AR for an interview with a senior Wal-Mart executive. Six weeks after the trip, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. When the news broke that local business-owners were the first to return to New Orleans to start the recovery, it was clear another “Independent America” story needed to be told.
“Rising from Ruins,” recounts the courageous, emotional experiences of the men and women who decided to come back days after Katrina to help rebuild their community – and how, three years later, it remains an ongoing struggle.
The film, set in the spring of 2008, three years after Katrina, finds many communities still lack local services such as grocery stores, gas stations and banks. Yet, government support and financial breaks for large chain stores - including tax-free land and buildings - have resulted in small, local businesses being forced to subsidize their competition through the assessment of higher property taxes. Compounding the struggle for the small outfits is decreased sales due to competition and an inability to compete with lower prices offered by the larger stores. This is the story of the frustrating, spirited battle of a people passionately dedicated to bringing their communities back to life in an enduring, sustainable way.
“Don’t put a thumb on a scale at the very least. Small businesses are not socialists. They don’t want the government to futz with them at all. They want the government to leave them alone and give them a permit. But they definitely don’t approve of the government then getting into the market and playing favorites with non-locals. I think all local businesses ask is that you keep a level playing field and let them compete fairly.”
Since then, that “insurgency” has become a social movement with skyrocketing energy prices and food scares. Many Americans now see the value of “local first.” While working on the first film back in 2005, a regrettable decision was made to by-pass New Orleans to make it to Bentonville AR for an interview with a senior Wal-Mart executive. Six weeks after the trip, Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. When the news broke that local business-owners were the first to return to New Orleans to start the recovery, it was clear another “Independent America” story needed to be told.
“Rising from Ruins,” recounts the courageous, emotional experiences of the men and women who decided to come back days after Katrina to help rebuild their community – and how, three years later, it remains an ongoing struggle.
The film, set in the spring of 2008, three years after Katrina, finds many communities still lack local services such as grocery stores, gas stations and banks. Yet, government support and financial breaks for large chain stores - including tax-free land and buildings - have resulted in small, local businesses being forced to subsidize their competition through the assessment of higher property taxes. Compounding the struggle for the small outfits is decreased sales due to competition and an inability to compete with lower prices offered by the larger stores. This is the story of the frustrating, spirited battle of a people passionately dedicated to bringing their communities back to life in an enduring, sustainable way.
“Don’t put a thumb on a scale at the very least. Small businesses are not socialists. They don’t want the government to futz with them at all. They want the government to leave them alone and give them a permit. But they definitely don’t approve of the government then getting into the market and playing favorites with non-locals. I think all local businesses ask is that you keep a level playing field and let them compete fairly.”
From “Rising from Ruins” - Dan Houston, Civic Economics