END CASH BAIL
Joe Troop wrote “The Rise of Dreama Caldwell” after meeting cash bail reform activist and community organizer Dreama Caldwell. Troop was inspired by the bitter circumstances that drove Caldwell to her work. Held responsible for another’s error, Caldwell was ruined by the bail system, forced to pay ruinous fees and kept from employment. Her ascendance as a force of activism in the region mirrored a larger national movement trying to change cash bail, which has been largely used to keep impoverished communities in the prison system.
A community of filmmakers, actors and creatives in Alamance County and surrounding communities compelled by Dreama’s story came together to make this video. Visit the Down Home NC website to join the fight to end cash bail and help those hurt by it seek justice.
“I am excited that Joe chose my story to make this song. I am most thrilled that this uplifts the stories of all of the people who have been affected by cash bail. I am aware my story may be different from others because I had a support system having my husband, sister and dad. ”
Sylvester Allen, Jr. (screenwriter) is an activist, playwright, actor and director residing in Graham, North Carolina. He recently penned a play about local historical figure Wyatt Outlaw and is currently co-authoring a nonfiction book on race relations in Alamance County. His experience as a performer and actor includes work in theatre, opera, and film.
““Dreama’s story is compelling, not only because of her courage, but how it outlines the many problems with our current bail system. It was an honor to work on this project and help bring those problems to light”.”
Matthew Durning (Co-Director) has directed, shot and produced documentary features and TV series for HBO, ESPN, PBS FRONTLINE/World, Smithsonian Channel, Ovation TV, and Al Jazeera America. He has directed award-winning music videos for artists including Che Apalache's The Dreamer. Durning's short documentary, PERRY COUNTY, won numerous festival awards and was a finalist for the IDA David L. Wolper Award for Best Student Documentary in 2010. He is co-director of the feature documentary, STAY PRAYED UP, currently in post-production
Dilsey Davis (Co-Director) - Hailing from Durham, NC, Dilsey Davis’ life mission is to use the Arts, and particularly film, to advance society by building social bridges and fostering a greater understanding of the equality of all people. Dilsey is the founder of Café con Leche Media and the co-founder of One Human Family, a non-profit organization that promotes racial and religious unity which is featured in her latest documentary short, NOW LET US SING. She most recently produced and directed four documentary shorts for ITVS/Independent Lens’s Stories for Social Justice on rural jails in North Carolina and Tennessee including SHERRIFF TERRY JOHNSON: The MAYBERRY DILEMMA, and SHERIFF PAULA DANCE: BRINGING CHANGE TO PITT COUNTY, and ZOO CREW. The East Tennessee based short, DAUGHTERS OF ADDICTION was broadcast on PBS last fall.
““When Matt first shared Joe’s song about Dreama with me and I read more about the cash bail system and Dreama’s experience with it, I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved. Dreama and Down Home started a movement towards justice, Joe amplified it through his passionate song, and our amazing dedicated creative team both behind and in front of the camera have now put a visual spotlight on the inequality and trauma that many go through in this Criminal (UN)Justice System. My hope is that when people watch this music video, they will feel this collective energy and join in the movement to end cash bail and help re-create a new justice system.””
