FILM & CLIPS
FILM & CLIPS
Smoke & Mirror: How Barbeque Reflects America
Welcome to the first feature-length documentary from States-Item Productions. For a year now, we’ve been exploring barbecue and what it says about our culture. We set out to make a film about competitive barbecue. But we discovered that beyond the personalities, the contests, and the endless regional debates, there’s a complex story that isn’t being told.
Our film and planned screenings are delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Meanwhile, we’ve gathered more content than we could ever hope to use and we’re sharing some of these stories online to keep the conversation going. We are also launching the Smoke & Mirror podcast featuring guest discussions and insights into the movie.
New Orleans is the home of States-Item Productions, so let us add our best wishes to our friends and neighbors in our city —and to everyone facing these very strange and frightening times. Let’s hope we can gather together again soon over some barbecue and jazz.
Scenes from the Film: Kermit Ruffins
It's Thursday night in New Orleans and things are hopping at Kermit Ruffins' Mother-in-Law Lounge. The jazzman was already famous when he played himself on HBO's Treme, and his band is called "The Barbecue Swingers" for a reason …
Scenes From the Film: Casey Roman
Wilmington, NC-based investigative reporter Casey Roman wasn’t originally interested in the hog farm litigation controversy. But the more she learned, the more she began to realize that something was amiss.
Scenes from the Film: Jim Early
Founder and CEO of the North Carolina Barbecue Society, Jim Early discusses the importance of the state’s Barbecue Trail and the intense passion North Carolinians have for barbecue.
Scenes from the Film: Liz Williams
Barbecue’s origins were shaped by the African American community. Liz Williams, founder of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, discusses the roots of barbecue in America.
Scenes From the Film: Steve Pickett, Willie Turner & Dub Davis
Three Duplin County, NC, residents share how living near a hog farm has never been an issue for them, and relay firsthand accounts of lawyers going door-to-door in their neighborhood to recruit residents to join the hog farm litigation.
Scenes from the Film: Sam Jones
Sam Jones, renowned pitmaster and owner of the world-famous Skylight Inn, describes how barbecue put Ayden, NC, on the map and how that benefits the entire region.
Scenes from the Film: Kelly Zering
Kelly Zering, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University, explains how North Carolina’s pork industry has evolved over the years, and speaks to how the industry continues to drive economic growth throughout the state.
Scenes From the Film: Elsie Herring / Dwight Strickland
Elsie Herring has one of the most widely publicized stories associated with the NC hog farm litigation. Upon closer examination, however, her claims do not seem to add up.
Scenes from the Film: Byron Bradley
Byron Bradley, chef and instructor at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, shares how barbecue has played an important role in the history of southern food and discusses barbecue’s ability to bring people together.
Scenes from the Film: Fred and Yadi Robles
For Fred and Yadi Robles, barbecue means family. Thanks to barbecue competitions, the couple has not only traveled around the country, but has grown their family exponentially, creating lifelong friendships with others who are passionate about barbecue.
Scenes From the Film: Dub Davis & Hilton Monroe
Duplin County, NC, residents Dub Davis and Hilton Monroe explain how the NC hog farm controversy has ripped apart their community.
Scenes from the Film: Sterling Ball
Hear from Sterling Ball, competition barbecue champion and musician, on similarities he sees between making barbecue and making music, both of which require one to use all of the senses while dedicating time and love to the process.
Scenes from the Film: Marlowe Ivey Vaughan
Marlowe Ivey Vaughan, a fourth-generation farmer and owner of a hog farm in Wayne County, NC, highlights steps she and other farmers take to be good stewards of the land.
Scenes from the Film: Dr. Howard Conyers
Manning, SC native, Dr. Howard Conyers explains what whole hog BBQ means to him.