Natchez, Mississippi is famous for its stunning antebellum homes, drawing visitors from across the country to admire their beauty and history.
In her film, "Natchez" director Suzannah Herbert looks beyond the grand mansions to explore the stories that often go untold through the perspectives of homeowners, tour guides, activists, and residents.
Marissa and Lucky break this down further with filmmaker and historical tour guide, EJ Johnson, to discuss the film, the complexities of historical tourism, and why the question of who gets to tell history still matters today through connections like Sinners and Get Out. Together, they unpack the romanticization of the Old South, the stories left out of traditional tours, and what it means to reckon with a past that continues to shape the present.
Watch the full documentary “Natchez: Exposing the Myth of Southern Charm"
- 00:00 Welcome to PBS Film Club
- 1:43 Unpacking the Term "Pilgrimage"
- 3:26 "Gone with the Wind" & Plantation Life
- 5:50 CLIP: "Servant" vs "Enslaved"
- 8:25 CLIP: Leave the Past in the Past?
- 11:05 CLIP: What is Being Hidden in Tours?
- 12:32 What are Folks Asking EJ in Historical Tours?
- 15:38 How is Film a Tool for Reclamation: Sinners & Get Out
- 21:33 Why Horror Works for Black Stories
- 26:33 Humanizing the Lives of Enslaved Ancestors
- 30:34 Conclusion, What Are Your Thoughts?
