Due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, Virginia鈥檚 Tangier Island is disappearing. The climate crisis is captured in the new documentary which provides a deeper look at how the Chesapeake Bay community is grappling with an uncertain future.
鈥淚 think of it as a canary in the coal mine story,鈥� said director David Usui. 鈥淲hat’s happening there on Tangier (Island) is a warning sign for coastal communities everywhere.鈥�
Usui spent years immersing himself in the island鈥檚 close-knit Christian community, winning their trust before bringing cameras to film. 鈥淏een Here Stay Here鈥� is an observational documentary, or cin茅ma v茅rit茅, which means there are no interviews.
鈥淵ou’re just observing life as it’s unfolding right in front of you. It feels really immersive. It feels intimate. (It) feels very personal,鈥� Usui said.
Tangier Island is sinking, and one expert gave Usui an estimate of 20 years before it鈥檚 underwater. The island needs government support to build a protective sea wall. Otherwise, the people living there could become the first climate change refugees in the country.
鈥淭hey’ve been living there for a long time, nearly 250 years now, and they’re just trying to preserve their way of life, their Christian community, (their) faith,鈥� Usui said. 鈥淚 think they’re looking for divine guidance.鈥�
Usui said it鈥檚 an honor to share these stories and hopes the documentary taps into a sense of empathy. He recently screened 鈥淏een Here Stay Here鈥� for families on the island and called it an 鈥渋ncredibly special鈥� experience.
鈥淭here were a lot of tears shed,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey expressed a lot of gratitude for sharing their story in such a respectful way.鈥�
鈥淏een Here Stay Here鈥� will be screened at the then at the . You can .
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