Ups and Downs of Nashville Activist Clemmie G. Draws a Big Crowd to New Documentary

By Gregory Crofton

Nashville filmmaker Tom Neff sent the email invite in a low-key fashion — “Come see the latest doc, “Clemmie G.: Unfiltered.”

Still, people came out in droves on a Thursday night to see the premiere of his documentary at the Belcourt Theatre. Lots of passionate people.

The film, about the work of community activist Clemmie Greenlee, lasted 40-minutes but took 21 years to produce. Neff shot the film in spurts when he could, and shooting over that length of time is one of its greatest strengths.

With that much footage to draw from, the doc is able to convey the power of shared grief and unconditional love, and how human resilience is real and allows mothers who have lost a son to murder to continue their lives in a positive way.

But Clemmie is the star no doubt. In its brilliant opening scene, she talks straight to the camera. Right away you see her charisma and raw honesty and how it helps her lead the Nashville Peacekeepers, a nonprofit that rescues those caught up in sex work, drug use and street violence. The group even provides clothes and food those in need, especially young people.

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The crowd that came out to the Belcourt was charged up and passionate and broke into applause throughout the film. To its credit, the theatre agreed to host the premiere of the film as a fundraiser for Clemmie in its largest room on a busy night.

Neff eagerly worked the hallway before the screening, shaking hands and greeting friends and associates. Many in attendance already knew of Greenlee’s work, some were members of Mothers Over Murder, part of Nashville Peacekeepers.

Others like myself, were familiar with Neff as a documentary filmmaker. His most recent project was “Mr. Temple and the Tiger Belles” (2018), and he teaches at Middle Tennessee State University and is a founder of the Documentary Channel.

“Clemmie G.: Unfiltered” has the right pace, thanks to sharp edits by Barry Rubinow, and conveys tough to hear but compelling stories from her life, like when at age 13, Clemmie was left alone to give birth on a bucket, and how she ended up in and out of jail 20 times before she recovered at 42.

Clemmie lost her son a few years later to gun violence, and then lost a nephew. Neff takes us to funerals and we listen to eulogies and witness rooms full of people reverberating with sadness and pain. This is access the documentary provides that will leave you stunned.

Somehow Clemmie made it through those lows, and in 2007 the Nashville Scene named her Nashvillian of the Year because of her ability to help others without judgement.

But in late 2017, came another test. Out on the road doing work for Nashville Peacemakers, Clemmie began feeling sick as she spoke to inmates at San Quinton prison. She was soon diagnosed with Broken Heart Syndrome, an actual medical diagnosis. The following year she had a successful heart transplant.

Howard Gentry, criminal court clerk for Davidson County, also attended the premiere. He appears in the documentary in conversation with Clemmie. Gentry spoke after the film and emphasized how now is the time for the greater Nashville community to show Clemmie the love and financial support she and her team needs to do their work.

The plan is for Clemmie to tour with Neff’s documentary as it is shown at film festivals around the country. That way they can fundraise and bring awareness to the mission of the Nashville Peacekeepers. One goal is for the organization to have its own building to operate from, preferably in North Nashville, a business and cultural hub for the Black community.

I was able to make an audio recording of the joyful question and answer session after the screening. Please click below and listen in. Clemmie never fails to entertain while communicating about things close to her heart.