Southern Rites (HBO)

About Southern Rites (HBO)

"Southern Rites" is a powerful documentary that was released on HBO in 2015. It visits Montgomery County, Georgia, a setting deeply entrenched in America's post-slavery tension. The film documents a town grappling with issues of race, tradition and societal norms, each deeply rooted in decades-long beliefs. The story explores the town's long-standing tradition of segregated high school proms which is being challenged by a group of racially ethnocentric town elders. The film delivers an emotional human account that is both painful and enlightening.

Making / Production

"Southern Rites" is directed and produced by Gillian Laub, who first visited Montgomery County in 2002 to document the lives of the residents and returned again in 2009. The film is executive produced by legendary artist John Legend, Troy Carter, and Mike Jackson under Get Lifted Film Company banner and was broadcasted on HBO.

Actors

• Gillian Laub - As the Director and a character in the documentary, Gillian plays an important role in revealing the communities as they are.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The segregated prom documented in this movie was the last segregated prom in Georgia.
• “Southern Rites” is essentially a decade-long project by director Gillian Laub. She first photographed the area for a New York Times photo essay in 2009.
• The project initially started as a series of photographs.

Quotes

• "Segregation isn't black and white. It's a story that's really nuanced."
• "I hope 'Southern Rites' will encourage audiences everywhere to become part of a vital conversation."

Music, Soundtrack

• The music in "Southern Rites" was composed by Joel Goodman, who has worked on several other documentaries.

Awards

The movie didn't win any major awards but was well received and appreciated for its raw portrayal of racial segregation in southern America.