His Truth Is Marching On Selected for Ridgefield Independent Film Festival
Produced by Culture 4 A Cause and The John Brown Project, the film traces American music history from 1619 to hip hop through the Civil War song “John Brown’s Body,” later rewritten into “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
“Everyone knows the Battle Hymn, but almost no one knows its roots are in equality, about a kid from Torrington,” says Daniel Morrison, executive producer of the film, “This film celebrates the melting pot that is American music while pointing out that almost all popular music was given to America (and the world) by Indigenous and African American people.” The message is especially poignant in light of the Beyoncé country music controversy.
Festival organizer Joanne Hudson remarked in her acceptance letter, “ The mission of Ridgefield Independent Film Festival is 'to make the world a more compassionate place through the sharing of stories through cinema,’ and your film does exactly that.”
Morrison is proud to bring Torrington to a broader audience with its freedom trail designation, John Brown homestead, Underground Railroad history, and gorgeous civil rights mural.
“The film intends to give a sonic boost to NW Connecticut’s arts renaissance with local talent, local recording studios, and local backdrops,” adds Jacque Williams, Executive Director of Culture 4 A Cause, “Exposure like this shines a light on NW Connecticut arts and culture scene.”
Other accolades for the film include a 2023 Award of Merit from the Connecticut League of History Organizations.
An all-access pass to the 39 films is available at www.riffct.org/getthepass, or individual program passes are available at www.riffct.org/2023-film-programs-2. A pass to the “Music In Motion” program is available here: https://bit.ly/riff-music.