For more than a century, the landscapes and stories of Mississippi have inspired filmmakers. Today, that history is alive at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson.
A powerful new film series, Moving Images in Mississippi, will be shown this January through July during the Mississippi Museum of Art’s bicentennial exhibition, Picturing Mississippi: 1817-2017.
On the fourth Thursday and Friday of each month, the public is invited to attend the new film series to celebrate cinema and Mississippi. Curated and introduced by longtime Mississippi film commissioner Ward Emling, the series will include panels and one-on-one filmmaker interviews to discuss the films in cinematic, cultural and historical context.
“We hope to do more than showcase films produced in Mississippi,” said Emling. “We will highlight the opportunity of film in Mississippi today through the work of the Mississippi Film Office; the contributions of the film organizations and festivals; and the curriculum in programs at our high schools, colleges, and universities.”
Beginning in Natchez in 1914, storytellers have used the state’s backdrops to enhance and authenticate their vision. The imagination of writers and the drama of Mississippi’s history have been brought to life by directors of influence, insight and power.
Cinema has explored, enhanced and explained Mississippi, and continues to do so today. From works like “This Property is Condemned” on the Gulf Coast to “LaLee’s Kin” in the Delta, from a rascal named Huck to a dog named Skip, from the light touch of “The Reivers” to the heavy grasp of “Mississippi Burning,” the cinematic life of Mississippi plays an influential role in the growth of America’s culture.
Film schedule
“Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” with panelists Scott Barretta, John Read and Jimmy Wood
“Thieves Like Us”
“The Help”
“LaLee’s Kin”
“Mississippi Burning”
“Freedom Song”
“The Reivers”
TBD
“This Property is Condemned”
“Dixieland”
“Cookie’s Fortune”
TBD
“My Dog Skip”
“Great Drives: Highway 61”
Films shown are subject to change due to panelist availability.
The bicentennial film series is free and open to the public. Each film begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Trustmark Grand Hall. The Mississippi Museum of Art is located at 380 S. Lamar St. in Jackson.
For more information, visit msmuseumart.org or contact Stacy M. Clark, director of Marketing at Mississippi Museum of Art: [email protected] or 601-960-1515.
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