Memory, Climate Change, and Urban Transformation with dream hampton and her film 'Freshwater'

Art Heals All Wounds

We continue our season focusing on belonging by talking about places and spaces. What kinds of stories do you tell about the places of your past that made you who you are? How do you tell that story when that place has been destroyed by the effects of climate change? dream hampton is an independent filmmaker who recently released a nine-minute short film called Freshwater. Prior to this project, hampton had worked on three long-form projects, including the widely recognized Surviving R. Kelly docuseries. Dealing with studios and facing creative limitations took a toll on dream, prompting a search for a creative project that could heal. In collaboration with her friend Invincible, dream embarked on a film project exploring flooded basements as a metaphor for memory, the effects of climate change, and the changing demographics of her hometown, Detroit. Freshwater was shot over all four seasons with a small crew of three or four people. My conversation with dream includes thoughts around migration and climate refugees. Why aren’t we doing a better job of responding to those who have left homes that have been made uninhabitable due to climate catastrophe? We also talk about ways that urban planning and surveillance have contributed to why our places are so poorly equipped to withstand the many challenges we’re facing, whether it’s fire or too much water. Through her story of loss, dream invites us all to reflect with her on how we might respond to this moment when, as she so aptly puts it, nature is talking to us. As storytellers, are we listening? How will we shape our stories to meet this moment?
Guest info and other notables from the episode:

• dream hampton's Website
• Watch the film Freshwater
• Invincible
• Sterling Toles
• Belle Isle

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