Past Featuresd Films

The Life & Times of Joe Thompson
(DOCUMENTARY, 28 minutes)

African-Americans, through the years, have made an indelible contribution to the nation's music cultural scenes:  in blues, jazz, spirituals, gospels, and more recently in contemporary sounds of disco, rock, and rap.  This documentary captures the story of Joe Thompson, the last known African-American fiddler player in North Carolina; but more than that, it is a window into the culture of small, rural areas of North Carolina.  The video shares Thompson's roots and music from his upbringing in rural Orange County, his musical renaissance that began in the 70s, and his unique style of play that's linked to the African tradition. The documentary also highlights Thompson's travels to the American Fiddle Tunes Festivals, the Smithsonian Institute, Sydney, Australia, and Carnegie Hall.  Back at home, the video shows a glimpse of Mebane through Joe's 38 years of working at White's Factory, then the largest furniture manufacturer in the South.

Filmmaker Profile:  Iris Thompson Chapman

Filmmaker Iris Thompson Chapman livesin Mebane, NC. Chapman graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC and received her PhD in English at the University of South Carolina. Currently, Chapman is a writing consultant with W. O. R. D. (Workshops on Writing, Oral Skills, Reading, and Documentation).

Local Angles

• Filmmaker Iris Thompson Chapman livesin Mebane, NC.
• Chapman graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC.
• Chapman will be among a group of people sponsoring a “Joe Thompson Day” in Mebane on September 25, 2004 and will end the day with a showing of The Life & Times of Joe Thompson at Mebane's Art Center.
• The music for The Life & Times of Joe Thompson was recorded at the now defunct JAVA on Main Street in Mebane, NC, where Joe Thompson played every Friday night, and at his niece's home in Mebane, NC.
• Joe Thompson's interviews were taken at his home in Mebane, NC;
• Screenings of The Life & Times of Joe Thompson have taken place all over the county, including:
• Craftique Furniture Company in Mebane;
• Elon University;
• The Horace Williams Home in Chapel Hill, NC