Provided

Randy Jarvis

Provided

City Film Productions, a Charleston-based, non-profit studio that specializes in biographies of U.S. cities, particularly the 13 original colonies, will digitally recreate the streets of Charleston as they were from the 1650s to the 1990s, creating an “emotional archaeology” of Charleston.

“We explore many facets of the city…horizontally, but more importantly vertically…The digging is where we’re discovering the motivations behind the actions whether they be for an individual’s or group’s personal gain or in the city’s best interest,” said Randy Jarvis, director of photography. “Hopefully, this leads to the conviction that the future may learn from the past.”

Jarvis said the film will “unearth the very heart of Charleston’ past,” with appearances from noted historians, authors and religious leaders, as well as many Charleston natives who have influential stories to tell.

Jarvis said the film will be unique in every way, “outside the box of a typical documentary.”

One goal of the film is to have 50 percent of the images used come from local residents’ private collections, never before seen by the public.

“We believe there to be a tremendous cache of photographs, portraits and journals sitting in people’s attics and chests,” Jarvis said.

The studio is just beginning to promote people to reveal their personal pieces of history. In exchange for any donated material, the studio will give the owner a duplicate copy of the artifact and also provide a copy to the South Carolina Historic Society.

The film will also include an eclectic mix of music by Jimi Hendrix, Isaac Stern and the Jubilee Singers, which, Jarvis said, will have actual meaning to the film rather than simply accompanying it.

Some of the pieces are spiritual songs sung during enslavement, such as “Elijah Rock,” which is played during the film’s trailer and was thought to be used to send hidden messages to other slaves.

“It’s extremely important for our children, for the young people to realize what Charleston is really all about and how it all came together. Without that knowledge, generations grow up not understanding and appreciating what we often take for granted,” Jarvis said. “Charleston is known for a great place to visit with pretty old buildings and beaches. I thought it time the city elevates its status of real importance as a major player in America’s history.”

The two-hour film will premiere April 2011, after almost four years of work, and will include two bonus tracks: “Charleston: The Soul of a City – Classroom Edition,” specifically designed for educators, and “Charleston, SC Today,” featuring people discussing in their own words what it’s like to live and work in the Holy City.

For more information, visit www.TheCharlestonFilm.org, where you can watch the trailer, contact and make donations to City Film Productions.