Run Free

Run Free was born out of a desire to start a different kind of conversation about the National Anthem protest movement - one that explores our universal humanity in the midst of a political and socioeconomic society that thrives on division. Our film grapples with the questions: Is Wes a black man first or a country singer first? Why should he have to choose? As Wes sings in his title song, “The color of my skin and the cut of my cloth don't always gotta be the same.” In addition to making films, I work as a supervisor and Crisis Counselor at the Suicide Prevention Center. The hundreds of hours I’ve spent taking crisis calls from all over the country has profoundly altered my view of humanity. I’ve talked with people of all different races, religions, sexual orientations, political affiliations, and personal prejudices. When they call us, at the literal end of their rope, all that noise quickly goes out the window. What remains are the raw human emotions that bond every single one of us. I spoke with a man who started by asking me if I was a Jew because he “didn’t wanted to talk to no dirty Jew.” My instinct was to hang up but I proceeded according to my training and within minutes, the hate was replaced with fear, sadness, and loneliness. The call ended with him telling me through tears that I was the first real connection he’d had with another human being in a long time. That conversation stuck with me throughout the making of this film. The purpose of Run Free is not to provide answers but rather to spark conversations that lead to a deeper understanding of what unites us.

Throughout the process I made it a priority to be the change I wanted to see in the country/world and surrounded myself with a diverse team of talented collaborators. I am proud to say that two-thirds of our team are considered gender, ethnic, and religious minorities.

Phredley's statement about the music:

The music in Run Free is inspired by the main agenda of the film - to unite seemingly opposing perspectives sympathetically in the name of everyone’s advancement.  In writing the story and music of a black Country singer, I immediately identified with the notion of sounding different than what might be expected.  I heard somewhere that great storytelling combines familiar-feeling stories on refreshing landscapes.  And that’s what Run Free has allowed me to do as a musician - be myself in a new sonic world.