Charleston is a small town in Mississippi and its only high school
holds a white prom and a black prom. In
this day and age it's hard to
wrap your head around the idea of segregation in any form and that is
exactly why Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, who lives in
the town, offered to pay for an integrated prom if the students wanted
it. His initial offer in 1997 was turned down by school officials. He
offered again in 2008 and was given the green light by the school and
support by the senior class.
Prom Night in Mississippi
follows the students and the town as they prepare to make history.
Parts of it are sad and shocking while other parts show how this will
affect these kids for the rest of their lives. There is no doubt that
this integrated prom will make a difference for generations to come.
I
chatted with director Paul Saltzman about the hurdles he went through
to make the film, learned how he connected with Freeman, and discussed whether he thinks
President Obama will help curb racism in the United States. Watch the
full interview below.
Prom Night in Mississippi opens in
Toronto on November 13. There will be a special benefit screening with
Morgan Freeman in attendance at the Varsity Cinema on November 13. For
more information, or to purchase tickets to that event, click here.
brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com
Top image: Paul Saltzman and Morgan Freeman. Courtesy Catherine Farquharson/Paul Saltzman.