Directed by S. Epatha Merkerson and Rockell Metcalf and narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, Contradictions of Fair Hope examines “a little known aspect of American history, when newly freed slaves throughout the South formed ‘benevolent societies’ to respond to abject hunger, illness and fear of a pauper’s grave. Setting the stage in rural Alabama, prior to Emancipation, the film traces the developments, struggles, contributions and gradual loss of traditions of one of the last remaining African American benevolent societies known as ‘The Fair Hope Benevolent Society.'”

We’ve been following the feature documentary throughout its film festival run, and now Shutter Island has announced plans to bring it to DVD on January 14. 

Find Vanessa’s review from when the film premiered at ABFF HERE. 

See the trailer below: