|
| Movie Review: Neshoba: The Price of Freedom Alternate Title: The Past is Not Dead
Story: The opening scenes of
this intense documentary plunged me back to my impassioned youth. Seeing
the images of the three slain civil rights workers, Michael
Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman,
brought tears to my eyes and sadness to my core This riveting film was
produced, directed and edited by Micki Dickoff and
Tony Pagano and was written by Ms. Dickoff.
This film takes a close look at the citizens of Philadelphia, Mississippi
some forty years after the heinous, murderous act of 1964. A community
takes a look at itself and tries to come to terms with how it happened,
what can be done to get to the truth and how they can move forward.
It is a compelling tale. In 2005, forty years after the crime, octogenarian, racist and horrifying
human being, Edgar Ray Killen is indicted for the crime.
We get to meet him up close and personal and his words will make the
little hairs on your neck stand on end. We also get to meet Chaney's
family, Schwerner's widow and Goodman's mother and brother. If you care
about history this is a must-see film. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUfNttzqV4U.
Watch the trailer of 1998's Mississippi
Burning here (It won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography,
and was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hackman), Best Actress
in a Supporting Role (McDormand), Best Director, Best Film Editing (Gerry
Hambling), Best Picture and Best Sound.): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmAqrMtB-Qg Acting: This is a documentary so this category is
moot.
Trivia: From the WSJ, shortly after Ronald Reagan's
death: "Philadelphia, county seat of Mississippi's Neshoba County,
is famous for a couple of things. That is where three civil rights workers
-- Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman -- were murdered
in 1964. And that is where, in 1980, Republican presidential candidate
Ronald Reagan chose to launch his election campaign, with a ringing
endorsement of "states' rights." It was bitter symbolism for
black Americans (though surely not just for black Americans). Countless
observers have noted that Reagan took the Republican Party from virtual
irrelevance to ascendancy. The essence of that transformation, we shouldn't
forget, is the party's successful wooing of the race-exploiting Southern
Democrats formerly known as Dixiecrats. And Reagan's Philadelphia appearance
was an important bouquet in that courtship.
Predilection: I like documentaries and this period
in time was an important aspect of my youth.
Opening Titles: The credits are at the end. During
the rolling credits it is horrifying to see the names of over 100 people
that were murdered during this period in time and who have yet to see
justice.
Theater Audience: I was delighted to see a large
number of young people in the theater along with people of my age who
remember the incident well.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 5
Drift Factor: I was attentive and angry the whole
time.
Tissue Usage: 1
Oscar Worthy: Probably not.
Big Screen or Rental: If you can fin it in your neighborhood
it would be worth it to see on the bi screen but would also be a fine
rental.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
|