Reimagining of Pawtucket’s mills quickly takes a new spin – view “Dawn”, the documentary

Dawn is a documentary that explores the re-imagination of Pawtucket’s industrial landscape to grapple with the effects of declining industry through the relationship between artists and forgotten mills. The documentary takes a look at the past 25 years of mill development in the City of Pawtucket. The film won 1st prize in the New England Film category at the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

The Director’s statement describes the purpose and energy behind this 22 minute film:

“The film delves into the symbiotic yet tumultuous relationship between artists and forgotten urban landscapes within the cyclical process of gentrification, a phenomenon observed globally. As industrial sectors vacate cities, the resultant decay creates expansive, affordable spaces that draw artists seeking inspiration and community. This influx of creativity and cultural activity revitalizes the urban economy and piques the interest of developers. Inevitably, this leads to the displacement of the very artists who sparked the revival, as buildings are refurbished into upscale residential properties. The artists are then compelled to migrate to new, emerging areas, perpetuating the cycle. The narrative of the film poignantly captures this recurring pattern, highlighting the transient nature of artistic enclaves and the relentless march of urban renewal.”

This film initially began as a proposal written for a grant from the Stone Initiative for Inequality. It was made in Association with Brown Motion Pictures, a student run film production company composed of Brown and RISD students.

Re-imaging the old mills of the city into new life as artists’ workspace, and eventual living/workspace, takes Pawtucket’s journey to where it is now, with less emphasis on support for artists, and a calling to affordably house people. The mill’s repurposing as residential space answers that call – as Gail Ahlers says, “to see the new life as residential is the wave of the future”. International artist Don Gerola adds, “it’s a great studio; it’s not a place to make a living – the cycle will continue, it’s never going to stop”

The film includes interviews with: Sen. Jonathon Acosta – Gail Alhers – Maria Barbosa, Mayor Don Grebien, Len Lavoie, Phyllis Nathanson, Michael Pare, Wayne Rosenberg, Herb Weiss, among others.

Posted on Youtube, “Dawn” 2024 is produced by Noah Zielinski and directed by Zielinski and Claire Lin.

Here’s the film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaWEXcx0OPE

About the Directors:

Noah Zielinski is a filmmaker from Los Angeles currently studying architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. He blends design with film to create new forms of visual narratives.

Claire Lin is a writer, artist, and designer from the Bay Area studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her work is rooted in her extensive political theory background and focuses on analyzing and breaking down social and political mechanics.