Been Here Stay Here

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• 2024
• 1 hr 26 mins
• Documentary

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Through intimate cinema verité, Been Here Stay Here explores the quiet yet profound challenges facing Tangier Island, where the water that has sustained its people for generations is now steadily reshaping their way of life. Since 1850, two-thirds of the island has disappeared, and the land that remains is increasingly vulnerable. This small, close-knit Christian community, anchored by faith and a deep connection to the Chesapeake Bay, finds itself at a crossroads, uncertain of what the future holds. The film follows three generations of islanders: Ooker Eskridge, the steadfast mayor whose family has lived here for six generations; Cameron Evans, a young man torn between honoring his heritage and seeking opportunities beyond the island; and Jacob Parks, a seven-year-old boy learning the rich maritime traditions that have long defined this place. For the people of Tangier, faith is both their compass and their refuge, guiding them as they face changes beyond their control. Filmmaker David Usui captures their story with compassion and nuance, offering a deeply human meditation on resilience, community, and the meaning of home. This is not simply a story of uncertainty; it is a story of devotion--to a place, to a way of life, and to the values that sustain them. Been Here Stay Here is an invitation to reflect on what it means to love and care for the places we call home, and how we might honor that responsibility together.