The Documentary tells the inspiring story of black landowners who united a community during Jim Crow and Prohibition
Atlanta, GA (November 2024) – Emmy Award-winning producer and military veteran Dario Harris is preparing to release his first feature documentary, Legacy of Land, a powerful story of thriving Black landowners in Boston, GA, who defied the odds and united an entire community across racial lines during the height of prohibition.
Involved in the production is a talented team that includes writer/producer John Petrizzi, who is making his feature film debut, award-winning Director of Photography, Jay Jackson (“Ahmad”, “Speak Up Brotha!”, “UGDK”), Sound Engineer Delbert Grush(“How to Drag A Body”, “Psycho Ape”, “Ever After”), and Emmy Award-winning Post Sound Engineer, Eric Basta, best known for Amazon’s “Good Night Oppy”, and being part of the sound team for “Dune Part One”. The documentary is expected to wrap production in early 2025.
Viewers will journey into the lives and legacy of James Ham and Bessie Oliver-Ham, Harris’ great-grandparents, who lived in stark contrast to the tales often heard about black families in the deep south during the early to mid-1900s. While most recollections from that period detail a dark, painful and horrid past, theirs serves as a rare example of racial harmony and mutual respect.
“My great-grandfather was very well-respected, because, back then, land was power. He owned 1,500 acres of land,” said Dario, who won an Emmy for his 2022 short film, Ahmad. He grew and ate from it, and fed other families, both black and white. He had the resources and machinery to get things done, and could hire people, thrive and take care of his family.”
“He made his own oats and grains, and he made his own cane syrup with a cane mill. He taught my family the process of making moonshine, and even though it was illegal at the time, he had such a strong relationship with the authorities that the police never really bothered him. They would buy from him.”
While James Ham certainly was a trailblazer during his time, his wife Bessie was the real hero. She was the glue that kept everything together.
“What is fascinating is not just how this black couple accumulated so much land and respect, but that Mrs. Ham had the foresight to put everything into a trust for the family, which allowed it to be passed down through generations,” Petrizzi said. “Not to mention, there were literally lynchings taking place just 15 miles down the road. This documentary shares a positive message that we need in this country right now. It shows that even in the darkest times, there is always a little bit of light.”
Dario agrees. For him, the film has allowed him to reconnect with his roots. While shooting the film, Dario and his team met with his relatives to discuss their history on the land. Today, James and Bessie’s land is roughly 100 acres, but collectively, the family still owns 400-plus acres in the city limits of Boston. They ventured through the acreage, witnessing people riding horses, uncles on the gun range, and kids playing.
“I’ve always felt a strong connection to my roots, but working on Legacy of Land has further solidified who I am. When I was younger, I was eager to trade the farmland for the city lights. I wanted to be in the city. Now, I understand and appreciate its importance. This is my Wakanda! We have crops, livestock, and all the resources we need to live off the land. I want to continue the legacy and do my part to keep it in the family.”
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