Mississippi Cold Case facts for kids

Mississippi Cold Case is a 2007 documentary film. It was made by David Ridgen from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The film looks into the disappearance of two young Black men, Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore. This happened in May 1964 in Mississippi. At that time, the Civil Rights Movement was working for equal rights for all people. The film also shows how Charles Eddie Moore's brother worked to find answers many years later. This documentary won many awards for its great storytelling and investigative work.

Because of the film and other investigations, officials looked at the case again. A person named James Ford Seale was held responsible for what happened to the young men. In 2008, the families of Henry Dee and Charles Moore also took legal action against Franklin County, Mississippi. They said that local police had not helped solve the case. The county later reached an agreement with the families in 2010.

About the Film: Seeking Justice

Mississippi Cold Case tells an important story about finding justice. It focuses on events from 1964, a time when the Civil Rights Movement was very active. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and segregation.

The 1964 Disappearance

In May 1964, Henry Hezekiah Dee and Charles Eddie Moore, both 19 years old, disappeared. They were last seen in southwest Mississippi. This was during a time called Freedom Summer. During Freedom Summer, many people worked to help Black citizens register to vote.

The Role of the Ku Klux Klan

The film explores the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan in this case. The Ku Klux Klan was a secret group that used violence to oppose civil rights for Black people. They caused fear and harm in many communities.

A Brother's Search for Answers

The documentary highlights the efforts of Thomas Moore, Charles Eddie Moore's brother. For decades, he worked to uncover the truth about what happened. His dedication helped bring new attention to the case in the 21st century.

Awards and Recognition

Mississippi Cold Case received many honors for its powerful story and investigative journalism. These awards show how important and well-made the documentary is.

Top Film Festival Honors

The film won the "Best of Festival" award at the Yorkton Film Festival. This is a very important film festival in Canada. At Yorkton, David Ridgen also won "Best Director" and "Best Research." The film's editor, Michael Hannan, won "Best Editor."

Awards for Investigative Journalism

The documentary was recognized for its strong investigative work. It won the Top Medal for Investigative Journalism from Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). It also received the Canadian Association of Journalism Award for Best Investigative Report.

Other Notable Awards

Mississippi Cold Case won "Best Director" at the Canadian Geminis. It also earned the English Television "Wilderness" Award for Best Documentary from the CBC in 2007. The film received a Bronze Plaque at the Columbus Festival and a CINE Golden Eagle Award. It was even nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008 for Feature Investigative Documentary.