In 1997, Academy-Award winning actor Morgan Freeman offered to pay for the senior prom at Charleston High School under one condition: the prom had to be racially integrated. His offer was kindly ignored. In 2008, Freeman made the same request, this time to an affirmative from the school board. A few months later, history was made as Charleston High School had its first integrated prom - ever. In the process, racial lines were drawn and traditional lines crossed, paving way for a one-of-a-kind documentary by two-time Emmy Award-winning director Paul Saltzman.
While many documentaries can get bogged down in the formality of the situation, Saltzman allowed the film and its presiding story to run loose, grasping the unfamiliarity and uncertainty that comes with such a change. As a result, he stays clear of backgrounds, focusing on the here and now which ultimately allows the story to reach its full potential.
The characters are gritty and real from start to finish, representing the wide spectrum of personalities that comprise Charleston, Mississippi. From the racially accepting students and in some cases, parents, to the iconic persons stuck within the realm of tradition, the film approaches them all, welcoming them each to share their story and explain the reasons behind their actions.
The highlight of the entire film comes about midway through when word gets out that in addition to their 'mixed' prom, a group of 'white' parents have gotten together to plan and pay for an 'all-white' prom. Though many students strike down the idea and cameramen are ultimately not-allowed onto the off-campus property, the event goes on, showcasing that in many cases, people simply cannot change.
In many realms, the film is a sad, upsetting affair as you watch people, much like yourself, judge others by the color of their skin. It is a reassurance that the problem still exists in our country today, decades following the dismissal of such blatant discrimination. It is proof that we, as a country, still have a long way to go before full equality is reached, making Prom Night in Mississippi an inspirational and ideal watch for anyone, regardless of their age or background.
