Experiencing Interruptions?

The Rise and Fall of Liberty

When developers in Durham, NC, demolish an iconic tobacco auction house in the name of revitalization, they not only displace a community of artists, they also threaten the soul of the community. "The Rise and Fall of Liberty" examines the ebb and flow of Liberty Warehouse's 80-year lifespan, draws parallels with the evolution of downtown Durham, and reveals the often touching, interdependent relationship between the two. It also raises key questions about the tension between the drive for progress and the character of the city.

  • Carol Thomson
    Director
    Bridging Rails to Trails: Stories of the American Tobacco Trail
  • Jim Haverkamp
    Editor
    Rarefied, Monster Road, Doubletime, Dancing with the Goddess, When Walt Whitman Was a Little Girl, It Had Wings
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    52 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 9, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    92,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Longleaf Film Festival
    Raleigh, NC
    United States
    May 13, 2017
    Documentary Feature Best Overall
  • Real to Reel International Film Festival
    Kings Mountain, NC
    United States
    July 28, 2017
  • Full Bloom Film Festival
    Statesville, NC
    United States
    September 16, 2017
  • Indigo Moon Film Festival
    Fayetteville, NC
    United States
    October 14, 2017
  • Carrboro Film Festival
    Carrboro, NC
    United States
    November 18, 2017
Director Biography - Carol Thomson

Carol Thomson is an independent multimedia documentary producer and a web developer based in downtown Durham. She is the recipient of the Ella Fountain Pratt Emerging Artists Award for her interactive documentary, "Bridging Rails to Trails: Stories of the American Tobacco Trail." She received a Gracie Award for American Women in Radio and Television for the short video, "HAND – Health Arts Network at Duke". Carol also teaches at The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University.

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Director Statement

I have lived and worked in Durham, NC for thirty years. My documentary work reflects my passion for downtown Durham. I have witnessed the enormous changes in downtown on a daily basis, and I am concerned about Durham's future as it transforms into a hipster destination. I'm also deeply saddened by the large number of buildings that have been and continue to be demolished in the name of revitalization.

"The Rise and Fall of Liberty" raises awareness of the tension between the drive for progress and the character of a city.