Released on = February 22, 2006, 12:33 am

Press Release Author = Last Nerve Press

Industry =

Press Release Summary = The premiere screening of the documentary This Side of the
River: Self-determination and Survival in the Oldest Black Town in America will take
place Feb. 28, 2006, 7 pm in Durham, NC at Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old
Fayetteville Street.


Press Release Body = RALEIGH, NC February 20, 2006 -- The documentary This Side of
the River: Self-determination and Survival in the Oldest Black Town in America
premieres Tuesday, February 28, 7 pm in the Performance Hall of the Hayti Heritage
Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Street in Durham, North Carolina.

A production of North Carolina Language and Life Project (NCLLP) filmmakers Ryan
Rowe and Drew Grimes, This Side of the River tells the inspiring story of
Princeville, North Carolina, an almost century-and-a-half old stronghold of Black
resistance founded by freed slaves in 1865 and its against-all-odds struggle to
rebuild after a flood nearly destroyed the town in the wake of 1999's Hurricane
Floyd.

Princeville, built by African-Americans who transformed swamp lands unwanted by
their former owners into livable terrain, is the oldest town in America chartered by
Blacks. Since Hurricane Floyd, third in the history of America's most destructive
hurricanes (with 1989's Hurricane Hugo at second and Katrina being first), the
historic town triumphantly fought an attempted FEMA buyout which would have wiped
Princeville off the map, and is making believers out of naysayers who, wary of the
town's ability to survive, publicly rallied against Princeville in favor of the
buyout.

This Side of the River also reveals the town's struggles to survive before the flood
through decades of racial prejudice and economic hardship. Incorporating interviews
with Princeville residents and North Carolina historians, the film offers a rare
glimpse into the religious, political and economic culture of one of America's few
remaining all-Black communities.

All media, educators, history buffs and the general public are cordially invited to
discover this untold piece of American history. With support from local businesses,
community leaders and North Carolina State University, this screening is free to the
public. Donations will be accepted to raise awareness and financial support for the
construction of an African American history museum in Princeville.

The event will open with music by Princeville-area bluesman George Higgs, a Music
Maker Foundation artist. Higgs appears on the film's score, along with NC Hip Hop
heavy hitters Cesar Comanche, L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Median of the Justus League who
contributed the film's theme track "This Side of the River". The screening will be
followed by a panel discussion with historians and Princeville citizens.

NCLLP is a part of the NC State University Humanities Extension, and is an umbrella
organization for carrying out research and educational programs in communities in
North Carolina and elsewhere. This Side of the River is the most recent NCLLP
production in a series of acclaimed documentaries on the rich culture and heritage
of North Carolina communities.

Filmmakers Ryan Rowe and Drew Grimes are immediately available for print, radio,
internet and television interviews. For media and other inquiries contact Ryan Rowe
at rdrowe@ncsu.edu or 919-515-4151. Broadcast journalists may copy a PSA from
http://tinyurl.com/qvqxd. Press photos available upon request. To learn more visit
about This side of the River visit www.talkingnc.com, or www.hayti.org.

# # #

Web Site = http://www.talkingnc.com

Contact Details = PR Contact:
Ryan Rowe
email: rdrowe@ncsu.edu
phone: 919-515-4151