Your Family Guide to Entertainment
Freedom SongFind more information about Freedom Song at Movies.com!
February 1st, 2000 marked the 40th anniversary of the first "sit-in" when four African-American university students walked into F.W. Woolworth in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina and took a seat at the "whites only" lunch counter.
Their
simple request for coffee provided many African-Americans
with the courage and determination to try this new tactic
of non-violent demonstrations in their fight for
desegregation. But nowhere was the battle tougher than in
Mississippi. With the state's government determined to
maintain segregation in all public places, and the
presence of militant clan groups who imposed their own
form of law, a victory in Mississippi became anti-segregation
groups' ultimate goal.
Freedom Song
concentrates on the efforts of many young African-Americans
who, with guidance and wisdom from their elders, put
themselves in dangerous situations -- like going to the
library or ordering a soda. Set in the small fictional
town of Quinlan, Mississippi, the story portrays the
struggles of Owen Walker (Vicellous Reon Shannon), a
young man at odds with his father Will (Danny Glover) who
is afraid his son's anti-segregation activities will
jeopardize the family's livelihood and safety.
Wanting to take an aggressive stand against the injustice, Owen and many of his friends are trained to protest peacefully when a representative of the Student Non-Violent Coordination Committee visits Quinlan. But their peaceful assistance in educating their people so they can register to vote infuriates the white population, leading to the brutal beatings of men and women.
Freedom Song's director and co-writer, Phil Alden Robinson, used factual events from the real town of McComb, Mississippi as the basis and setting for the movie because it fit the "smallest possible corner" he needed to tell this story from a grass roots level.
Released
to television in February to celebrate the anniversary of
the Woolworth sit-in, Freedom Song is now available on
video. With some scenes accurately portraying the brutal
violence inflicted upon protestors and one on-screen
shooting, parents and teachers would be wise to preview
this fine film. Although not appropriate for all age
groups, the anti-prejudice theme and historical content
make it a song worth singing.
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Talk about the movie with your family...
Turner
Television has developed several remarkable websites in
conjunction with this movie:
If this is a
subject that interests you, check out our review of Down In The Delta. And for older audiences,
Malcolm X
http://tnt.turner.com/movies/tntoriginals/freedomsong
http://turnerlearning.com/tntlearning/freedomsong
www.sonyclassical.com/music/89147/index.html
www.sweethoney.com
Rod Gustafson
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2000 One Voice Communications. All Rights Reserved