Freedom Song (2000)
Elements of DVD cover from photos for Freedom Song on IMDb
Rated NR (TV film).
Running time: 1 hour, 52 min.
Our content advisories (1-10): Violence 3; Language 1; Sex/Nudity 0.
The town of Quinlan, Mississippi, and the African American family in “Freedom Song” are fictional, but the incidents in the film are based on actual occurrences, thanks to the cooperation of a number of former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) leaders who served as consultants. Phil Alden Robinson, the director/cowriter of “Field of Dreams,” has given us a realistic picture of how high school students became active in the Civil Rights Movement and thus are the ancestors of those today.
Young Owen Walker felt compelled to join in the struggle for justice when the SNCC workers came at last to his segregated town of Quinlan, Mississippi, during the summer of 1961. He and his friends had been hearing about the sit-ins and freedom rides taking place in other parts of the South, so they eagerly looked forward to the day when the SNCC would start a campaign for freedom in their town. When they do arrive, Owen finds himself caught up in a prophetic movement owing much to the cries and struggles for justice and truth of the ancient Hebrew prophets. But Owen soon finds himself coming up not only against the local police and white segregationists, but against his own father as well--indeed, his continued involvement in the Movement threatens to destroy their relationship.
With Sweet Honey In The Rock providing many of the stirring Freedom Songs so dear to the Movement, and James Horner (of “Titanic” fame) the musical score, watching the film is truly an inspiring experience.