MPB premiers Freedom Summer documentary

Published 5:02 am Saturday, August 16, 2014

    JACKSON – Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) announced the premiere of its newest documentary, “1964: The Fight for a Right.” The film is set to air on MPB TV on Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. and chronicles the efforts that took place during Freedom Summer 1964 to ensure that Mississippians of all colors could exercise their constitutional right to vote.

    “The effort that was undertaken in 1964 to ensure that all Mississippians were given the right to vote was nothing short of heroic,” said MPB Director of Television Production Ed Ellington. “As the anniversary of Freedom Summer approached, we knew that MPB had a responsibility to make sure that the work of these brave men and women was recorded and shared with everyone in Mississippi.”

    “1964: The Fight for a Right” documents the fight for voting rights that took place in Mississippi from the time of Reconstruction and into the revolutionary summer of 1964. The efforts culminated in a coordinated effort during the summer of 1964, known as Freedom Summer, to register black voters who were being denied access to the polls.

    Hundreds of volunteers came to Mississippi to support the voter registration campaign. The nation took notice when volunteers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman were murdered for supporting the effort.

    The film brings viewers through the events of the 1960s and ends with a look at voter trends today.      

    Ellington said, “We hope this documentary will not only commemorate Freedom Summer but also inspire viewers to exercise their right to vote. Freedom Summer volunteers risked a lot to gain that right and the best way anyone can honor them is to take the responsibility to vote seriously.”

    MPB Assistant Director of Television Production Edie Greene and MPB Director of Audio Taiwo Gaynor joined forces to produce the documentary.

    “It was humbling to sit down with influential figures in the movement and hear their stories of courage and bravery,” said Gaynor. “I often found myself in shock at what they experienced on a daily basis while resolving to continue on into harm’s way.”

    Greene and Gaynor also produced a series of PSAs as a companion to the documentary. Titled “Freedom Summer 1964,” the series couples interviews with Freedom Summer veterans with historic video and still pictures.

    “Both the documentary and the PSA series reacquaint older Mississippians with their history and simultaneously inform younger Mississippians with stories they may not know,” said Greene. “Since I’m not from Mississippi, I didn’t study its history in school. This has been an amazing story to learn. I am honored to be the producer.”

    The PSAs have been airing on MPB TV and MPB Think Radio since June 9 and will continue through Aug. 28. They are also available online at mpbonline.org/1964.

    On Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. MPB will host a preview screening of the documentary. The screening is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register at mpbonline.org/1964.