Prom Night in Mississippi (2009)

In the heartland of Mississippi, in the small community of Charleston, the year 2008 marks a historic moment. The Academy Award-winning actor, Morgan Freeman, a resident of this town, resurfaces an old offer: to fund the first integrated Senior Prom in the history of Charleston's only high school. A decade prior, in 1997, this proposal was met with silence, the deep-rooted traditions and racial tensions proving too strong to allow such a change. But this time, the East Tallahatchie County School Board accepts Freeman's offer, igniting a spectrum of emotions and responses in this town of 2,300 inhabitants. "Prom Night in Mississippi" is a compelling documentary that explores this journey of change, focusing on the Charleston High senior class of 2008 as they prepare for their first-ever integrated prom. The high school, home to 415 students, both black and white, has always held separate proms, a testament to the enduring racial divide. But now, the students and staff are ready, and even enthusiastic, to break away from this tradition. The film captures the voices of students, staff, and parents, their words painting a vivid portrait of a community at the precipice of change. Interviews reveal a breadth of perspectives on integration, dating, and generational views, laying bare the complexity of race relations not only in Charleston but also the deep south. However, not everyone is ready to step into this new era. A group of white parents clings to the past, organizing a whites-only prom, a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead. "Prom Night in Mississippi" is a narrative of transformation, a poignant exploration of a community grappling with its past while daring to envision a future where unity replaces division. This is a story of courage, resilience, and the power of change, set against the backdrop of a historic prom night.

Prom Night in Mississippi is a documentary movie featuring Morgan Freeman and directed by Paul Saltzman.

Prom Night in Mississippi is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Filmzie, Plex, Plex Player, The Roku Channel and VUDU Free and it's also available on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy Prom Night in Mississippi on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.