Films

In 1997, Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman made an offer to the high school in his hometown of Charleston, Mississippi: he would foot the bill for the school's senior prom – on condition that both black and white students be allowed to attend. Even though the students shared classes and every other aspect of school life, the town had a tradition of holding two proms – one white, one black. Freeman's offer was ignored. In 2008, he made it again. This time, the school accepted and history was made.

PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI tells the story of the fallout from Freeman's offer, as senior students of Charleston High rally in preparation for the school's first-ever integrated prom. This progressive step is foiled with an eye-opening reminder that racism is alive and well in America – 54 years after the US Supreme Court ordered an end to segregated schools.

Directed by Canadian filmmaker Paul Saltzman, PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI deftly weaves together student-made videos, interviews and fly-on-the-wall moments with students, school officials, parents and Freeman himself. “I live here,” the Oscar-winning actor tells an assembly of seniors. “I think it is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of that in this time … you children are being brought up this way. It hurts me deeply.”

This film has been rated: PG - Content Advisory - Mature Themes