Would it be inappropriate to call this new short film the first look into the Charles Wesley Godwin Cinematic Universe?
If you are a fan of CWG’s music, you’ll certainly want to check in for this three-part short film project inspired by songs from the Appalachian country music artist’s latest album, Family Ties. The album itself was as emotional and transparent as it gets, and it’s honestly really intriguing that Charles wants to continue to expand on the songs that clearly meant so much to him.
Just last week, Charles Wesley Godwin shared a trailer for the project, which also laid out the release schedule for all three parts (“June 12 – Chapter 1 – “Miner Imperfections,” June 20 – Chapter 2 – “Another Leaf,” June 26 – Full short film release, including “Dance in Rain”).
Along with the teaser was a message from the country artist himself explaining what the trilogy set out to accomplish, and what fans could expect:
“Excited to share something we’ve been working on for the last few months: The Family Ties Trilogy is a music video project and short film that follows the journey of a single family across three decades, narrated by three songs from Family Ties.
‘Miner Imperfections,’ ‘Another Leaf,’ and ‘Dance in Rain’ tell the story of a couple navigating life and building a family during The Great Depression, through World War II, and into the ‘Golden Era’ of the 1950s. Shoutout to Justin Clough and everyone involved. This is a very meaningful project to me and I can’t wait to share it with you over the coming weeks.”
The first chapter that was just released today was set to the song “Miner Imperfections.” While the track itself might not have been directly based upon Godwin’s family, there was clearly some inspiration gathered from CWG’s grandfather throughout the lyrics and, obviously, the new video that now accompanies it.
Set in 1931, the song “Miner Imperfections” (and some b-roll of Charles playing and singing in an empty, sun-soaked room) guides viewers through a story about a coal miner deep in a bout with alcoholism as he began to start a family. Some soul searching is presented throughout the short video, which is then capped off by the man “cleaning himself up” (represented by a symbolic beard shaving) just as they welcomed their child into the world.
All in all, it’s a great start to the highly anticipated project from CWG. And part one also teases the next installment with a brief scene at the very end set in 1940. The family that the trilogy will focus in one through its three parts will welcome in another child in chapter two, revealed as the parents told the now-grown-up son depicted in chapter one that he is going to be a big brother.
We already know that part two will be told alongside the song “Another Leaf,” and will release on June 20th. So until then, you’ll just have to watch the beautiful first chapter in the “Family Ties Trilogy” linked below:
