Freedom Song (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freedom Song |
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| Written by | Phil Alden Robinson Stanley Weiser |
| Directed by | Phil Alden Robinson |
| Starring | Danny Glover Vicellous Reon Shannon Vondie Curtis-Hall Loretta Devine Glynn Turman |
| Theme music composer | James Horner |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Phil Alden Robinson Danny Glover Carolyn McDonald Sean Daniel |
| Cinematography | John Lindley Amy Vincent |
| Editor(s) | Maysie Hoy |
| Running time | 112 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Turner Films, Inc. |
| Distributor | Turner Network Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | TNT |
| Picture format | Color |
| Original release | February 27, 2000 |
Freedom Song is a powerful TV movie from 2000. It's a true-story drama about the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The film shows the brave fight of African Americans in Mississippi. They wanted the right to register and vote.
The story takes place in a made-up town called Quinlan. During the Freedom Summer of 1964, young high school students decide to make a change. They want to improve their community. These young activists face challenges from many people. This includes some white southerners and even their own parents. Their parents knew how dangerous it could be to speak up. But with help from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the students push forward. They work hard to register African-American voters. This helps bring attention to their important cause.
The movie first aired on February 27, 2000, on the TNT channel. Phil Alden Robinson wrote and directed it. Stanley Weiser also helped write the story. The film won several awards, including the Image Award. It stars famous actors like Danny Glover and Vicellous Reon Shannon.
Contents
The Story of "Freedom Song"
Freedom Song tells its story through flashbacks. We see events from the viewpoint of Owen Walker. He is a high school student in Quinlan, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. Owen grows up in a mostly Black community. He doesn't fully understand the white supremacy around him at first.
Facing Injustice
One day, young Owen, who is five years old, walks into a "Whites Only" diner. His father, Will, quickly follows him. White workers force Will to spank Owen in public. This is a very humiliating moment for Will. He later tells Owen, "someday you'll be eating at this counter." But this event leaves a lasting mark on their relationship.
Will Walker had been an activist in the late 1940s. He fought in World War II for freedom abroad. When he came home, he was upset that African Americans still faced unfair treatment. Will tried to register Black voters to change the town's racist sheriff. But white supremacists fought back with violence. One night, Klansmen shot at their house while the family slept. They survived, but people in town stopped shopping at Will's store. He lost his business. This made Will feel that fighting for equality was too dangerous and pointless.
Fighting for the Right to Vote
As Owen gets older, he becomes more and more frustrated. He sees the unfairness against African Americans. He is inspired by the Freedom Riders. These activists were holding sit-ins across the South. When a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organizer, Mr. Wall, comes to Quinlan, Owen gets excited. He sees a chance for real action.
Mr. Wall is there to help African Americans register to vote. Owen and his friends begin the slow work of teaching people. They help eligible voters pass the literacy test and register. White city officials try to stop them. But the movement gains strength. Owen decides to join the fight. His parents are still worried about his safety. But Owen, his friends, and the SNCC organizers keep fighting for justice.
Standing Up Together
The fight for equality brings strong reactions from some white people in town. A disagreement in town leads to an older, respected Black man being killed. The town mourns this loss. Mr. Wall and other organizers feel responsible for causing trouble. But the movement doesn't give up hope.
The organizers decide to start peaceful sit-ins. They go to all-white businesses in the community. Protesters are arrested many times. Owen, Mr. Wall, and Owen's friends Charlie and Isaac are sentenced to four months in jail. From jail, they learn that supporters from New Orleans have come to Quinlan. They are there to support their cause. After Owen and his friends are released, segregation becomes illegal. Owen finally gets to eat with his father at the same counter. It was once "Whites Only," but now they can share a meal there. This moment helps Owen and his father heal their relationship.
Who's in the Film?
Here are some of the main actors in Freedom Song:
- Danny Glover as Will Walker
- Vicellous Reon Shannon as Owen Walker
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Daniel Wall
- Loretta Devine as Evelyn Walker
- Glynn Turman as T-Bone Lanier
- Stan Shaw as Archie Mullen
- Michael Jai White as Coleman Vaughnes
- John Beasley as Jonah Summer
- Jason Weaver as Isaac Hawkins
- Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly as Dora Charles
- Marcello Thedford as Tyrone Franklin
- David Strathairn as Peter Crowley
Making the Movie
Freedom Song is 112 minutes long. It first aired on the TNT television network. The movie was filmed in 1999 in Burgaw and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Awards and Recognition
Freedom Song received many awards and nominations. These were for its writing, acting, and music.
- In 2001, Danny Glover won an Image Award. He was honored for his acting in the film.
- Phil Robinson, the writer and director, won the Golden Gate Award in 2001.
- The film also tied for the Writers Guild of America Award for Original Long Form.
- It was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards, three Black Reel Awards, and other honors.
- The film's music, created by James Horner, was also released as an album.
