Documentary Short Film Review “Hog Heaven: The Pigz Brotherz Story” Something that began in fun forms a lasting legacy of friendship, music, community impact, and unavoidable change
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Taking a chance and watching it go farther than ever imagined. It might be safe to assume that, in whatever forms this might take, we all have certain trepidations about trying something totally new. Change as it is is hard enough. Adapting to it can be even harder. But if it involves a venture that starts out as just a whim and suddenly turns into more, what kind of personal impact does it have? More importantly, what about on a community forever changed because of it?
In Raleigh, NC, the 80’s sees a young man named Danny Squires embarking on a completely innocent endeavor with fellow music lovers Sonny Sherrill and Chip Davis, forming the band known as The Pigz Brotherz. Backyard concerts for friends suddenly turns into 2 times/month gigs at the only music venue in Raleigh, The Berkley Cafe (aka: “The Berk”). Sparking a creative trend for the almost non-existent local music scene, the group will see 40 years of unanticipated success….and be forced to weather an ever-present reality….the price of progress.
Next, my Mind:
To being, it is so adeptly appropriate that this particular 11-minute documentary short, arriving courtesy of director/producer/cinematographer/editor Scott Simerly Jr., makes it presence known in the midst of our celebrating America 250. Why, you might ask? Because it IS efforts such as this, depicting not just real life, but a unique and personalized statement about what can happen when you choose to step out without preconceived notions of the outcome….and it WORKS. It’s the basic FREEDOM to follow your passions. That IS America! Down home…and REAL. I’ve continually made it clear that this form of filmmaking (documentary) is a brand that represents a mildly slippery slope for me as a critic who’s far more “into” narrative fiction efforts as whole. BUT, when a documentary is done RIGHT, there’s an undeniably genuine, credible, authentic reality that trumps everything else, striking you right where it should…in the heart, mind, and soul.
Truthfully, this film is one of those. Engaging, entertaining, and contemplatively compelling in its grander, subtle, yet also pronounced messaging about the cost of things moving forward and the subsequent impact it has on given pursuits, brevity with intention drives this effort ahead with a mix of reflection and straight-up humanity on display. Being transparent, it is a totally opposite perspective and approach Simerly, Jr. chose to take here, given the previous project I’d seen and reviewed from him, “Alien Guy Tim“. But, that’s really the BEAUTY of it, right? Indie filmmakers don’t allow themselves to, necessarily, be constricted to one genre or style. Hence, it is a pleasure to absorb something totally opposite of last time here. Brevity works in the film’s favor as well, because there’s no time to dilly dally or allow TOO much space to perhaps try and overcompensate for a topic being explored that wouldn’t do well if expanded on for too long a timeframe.
NOT saying that would have BEEN the case HERE, mind you. I’ve simply seen other documentaries where that DID happen, and for me it makes for a tedious viewing experience. Thankfully, Simerly, Jr. chooses to focus on just ONE primary interviewee–and their fun, vibrant, definitively “everyman” manner–offering recollections about what started on a total whim between music-loving friends and ended up lasting four decades while influencing an entire Southern city’s arts culture. It’s nothing short of inspired, motivational, and flat out enjoyable from start to finish. Plus, this critic can relate to Squires’ story, as I once (granted a LOT more briefly!) was a part of two different bands formed on a lark that yielded opportunities to play out live, which, as Squires himself mentions, IS quite a RUSH! But it wasn’t about ego. It was more the wonder and fulfillment you feel knowing other people are enjoying what YOU are creating and offering. It’s just a great feeling.
That’s the attitude Squires brings to the table throughout his commentary, and it only makes him even more accessible, grounded, and a portrait of America’s people. Now, what also provides a bit of an underlying “punch” to this film is the fact that it’s isn’t ALL a “wine and roses” tale. The fact that The Pigz Brotherz band literally birthed a brand new music scene in Raleigh and attracted some top flight musicians to the city has a persuasively stirring and somewhat disheartening downside…watching as a city’s growth ends up making classic spots like The Berk move away for the sake of new condos, or whatever form of “necessary” renovations must come about. It’s watching storied history be interrupted, much less it marked the conspicuous decline in venues that were TOTALLY music-centric in nature begin to vanish. It is an actuality I’ve seen as well, and it’s downright sad to see the arts be what seems to get hit so hard by the “need” for advancement.
The film smartly utilizes a mix of archival footage with contemporary settings in Raleigh that serve to remind us about Squires’ love for where he comes from, how it became the place for his adventure in what turned into a 40-year lesson in musical joy, how deeply meaningful it has been, and how seeing change hits home in a myriad of ways. The film is capped off by a highly touching tribute to founding member Sonny Sherrill, and it is a worthy ode to both the band and the venue that they called “home” for so many years. So, in total, “Hog Heaven: The Pigz Brotherz Story” is documentary filmmaking at its simple, poignant, and wholly relevant best, providing an illustration of America, the core of who we are as human beings, and a call to us, perhaps, to be willing to take chances sometimes. Because you never know what could happen when you just GO for it, even in fun. That was the start of another person’s current success in something he loves doing…my own. Be grateful, be humble, be bold, and bring something GOOD to other people. That’s what Squires and the crew did. Let’s learn a lesson from it.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
