The largest black community in the country started as a safe haven for escaped slaves but has more recently been labeled as one of the biggest hubs of pimping and human trafficking in the nation. “This is North Preston” illustrates how the town of 4,000 has dealt with generations of economic struggle, pimp culture, limited government resources, violence, and constant systemic racism. Artist “Just Chase” paints a picture of his life in crime and the events that made him leave the street life to follow his musical dreams.
“This is North Preston,” for the most part, is an expository documentary set in North Preston, Nova Scotia. Settled over 250 years ago, the community was formed of runaway slaves. Inspired by Harriet Tubman, the refugees followed the North Star, crossing the border into Canada which had progressively abolished slavery 30 years before the United States (no surprise there). Today it’s a town riddled with racism, crime, and inequality.
The main subject is a hip-hop artist named “Just Chase.” He’s stylishly dressed, adorned with a fresh pair of Yeezys. Chase focuses on music while many loved ones make life-altering choices or became unfortunate victims. Apparently, when he was younger, he was constantly getting into trouble and his dad found a sawn-off shotgun in his sock drawer. Immediately, Chase was sent off to Toronto to be safe with extended family. He returned to help his father with his trucking business before fully committing to his burgeoning hip-hop career. Other interviewees include cops, a promising boxer, pimps, sex workers, and concerned citizens. North Preston is viewed by many as an inherently bad place. “It’s a gang, not a lifestyle” is the motto of the local collective known as “North Preston’s Finest.” The dueling narrative is basically cops considering them a nefarious gang while the group themselves, and some fellow citizens, see them as people trying to survive the harsh environment.
The loose technical aspects make the documentary feel a bit amateur but refreshingly authentic. The occasional gospel score is a bit heavy-handed when the haunting images speak enough for themselves. Chase’s music reminds me of the very popular atmospheric music that’s been exported out of Toronto thanks to artists like Drake and The Weeknd. (I actually added him to a Spotify playlist to hear more).
“This is North Preston” could have been set in the US, the similarities affecting poor people and the profane racism are one and the same. In his interview, local Nova Scotia boxing heavyweight Kirk Johnson states how he was racially profiled and pulled over 28 times! He brilliantly sued the Halifax Police Department and won a settlement. There are some disturbing stories told by sex workers and the trauma they’ve endured at the hands of abusive pimps. The main issues with sex trafficking and the drug trade seem to boil down to the simple solution of decriminalization. If Canada and the US could follow the model of countries like the Netherlands, I’m sure there would be a lot more safety for everyone involved. Not to mention all the economic and social benefits that could come from taxing services. Decriminalization would make it much more difficult for criminals to thrive. Poverty and abuse are cyclical and the only way to stop it is to drastically change the system which allows them to fester. I recommend this documentary to anyone interested in understanding a microcosm that wouldn’t exist without the larger network of problems handed down.
Now available on Video On Demand
