Raise the Roof Documentary film Screenings
Documentary film, As in Death, tells the story of Sidney Brodie and the origin of the Durham Homicide Memorial Quilt. Sidney begins the Durham Homicide Memorial Quilt in the wake of a community tragedy. Every time someone is killed in Durham, he adds their name. But as Sidney becomes more involved in this passion project, he reflects on what he's sacrificed to create something so beautiful and dark.
Directed by Mark Kammel, As in Death is part of the PBS curated documentary series is Reel South a collaboration between UNC-TV and SCETV that features the proud yet complicated heritage of the American South. As in Death appeared at the 2020 River Run International Film Festival and other comparable festivals and venues from 2018 until its final run on PBS Reel South June 26, 2022.
Testimonials
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, from the depths of my soul, for your dedication and profound witness to peace in Durham. When you described your response to Shaquana’s death you spoke almost exactly what I said and felt at the time (and still do). It was the moment I left the pack of indifference and joined you. I’m so grateful for your prophetic love. The film is exceptional and vulnerable and contains so many truths. I’m so very pleased that your ministry has been chronicled and can be shared. Love, your love for all of us, goes to suffering like iron to a magnet. To paraphrase Lauren Hill,”you are a gift so great only God could create.”
Blessings on this film! You remain in the circle of my thanksgiving and love for which there is no escape!
Ever yours,
— Marcia Owen, volunteer & former director
The religious coAlition for a nonviolent durham
Scene from “As in Death” (2018) Mark Kammel (Photo)
This is (beyond) powerful! I'm grateful for the folks who've taken the time to capture the soul and significance of this work, and have never been more grateful for your sacrifice in giving it to Durham. What strikes me, above all, is how well this captures the weight that comes with taking on yourself a problem so many would rather ignore. In creating and continuing to hold this quilt, you have done just that for every single one of us. I pray that we as a community can learn to walk worthy of such costly wisdom.
— Ben Haas, ExEcutive director
The Religious coaliTion for a nonvioleNt durham
Durham NC
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. What a powerful story. I hope you move forward with the feature-length project. Thank you for doing this incredible work. There certainly is a cost to shaping change and I’m so proud to be in community with you.
— Pierce freelon, musician, professor, artist, community organizer
Durham NC
Awesome!! So Angels aren’t women!! They are men, with hearts as huge as their wings!!
Your wings are huge and the sword in your hand is touching the hearts of so many...
— Dr. Gwendolyn Moore, Pastor
True deliverance worship center
Bahama NC
Thank you for sharing the documentary with me. It's profoundly moving and so masterfully produced. I can only imagine the difficulty of sharing so much personal experience and struggle in this context. But it's so very powerful, and I think the film will change hearts. Like your work with the quilt, it's deeply compelling and moving. Thank you for sharing this with me now, and I encourage you to share further as you discern next steps.