The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till
Keith Beauchamp's Documentary Reveals Hatred, Strength, and Courage
"The most important documentary of the year." ~ New York Magazine
Keith Beautchamp's documentary of Emmett Louis Till is a wrenching look at a troubled part of America's history. One summer, a 14 year-old-boy with a bright smile and an upbeat spirit, traveled from Chicago to Money, Mississippi to visit his cousins. No one thought to warn him of the deep divide between the races that still existed in that state; no one warned him that his very life could be at risk if he acted like the adolescent boy that he indeed was. No one could have foreseen the ugliness, pain and terror that awaited a young man, a family, and an entire community. And no one could have saved this young man from his fate, even though his own mother would have done anything to spare him from what was to take place. Keith Beauchamp's documentary captures the innocence of that young boy and the darkness of his era in this engrossing historical documentary.
The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till is a Distinctly American Story
This gripping film is an American tale, a story of old divisions, misunderstandings, entitlements, hatred, anger, fear and injustices. It is the story of how some human beings feel they have the right to destroy other people for a casual look, comment, or gesture. And in 1955 Mississippi, the white man did have that right, no matter how abominable it was. But that is not what this story is really about; this is the story of how a community came together in their grief and refused to remain powerless. This is about amazing courage in the face of callousness and cruelty; it is the story that was to be the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. And it is above all the story of one woman's courage to allow the truth to not only be told, but to be seen.
Anyone who cares about justice will be moved by this film. The handsome young boy who so trustingly traveled to his family's home in Money, Mississippi, approached his trip like he did everything in his life; he was always smiling, a very upbeat kind of child. His mother said he was always "unfazed." Mamie Till Mobley, Emmett's mother, also recalled how much pride she took in his beautiful white teeth; but when she saw him after his trip, she could not find but two of his teeth. What caused such rage against a child? What allowed grown men to be so brutal, to feel justified to destroy trust and hope and then take it so lightly they would joke about it? How could men like that be brought to justice?
Keith Beauchamp's Documentary: A Changing Time
Much has changed since the time of Emmett Louis Till, and his experiences had something to do with that, including the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This film also had an impact, forcing light to be shone on some very old injustices and led to the case being reopened. This is a film that will leave the viewer outraged and horrified, but also hopeful and amazed. Not only is incredulity brought forth by the brutality of the crimes revealed, but also by the strength of Emmett's mother and family. The touching footage of his uncle's report and his mother's recollections will be sure to touch the viewer; footage of the white community will make your blood boil. This is a difficult documentary to watch, yet it will keep you watching nonetheless. Keeping alive the image of Emmett after he was assaulted was one way of showing the world, literally, what was facing people in the South in 1955. It is not an image that is easy to forget.
Released 2005
THINKFilm
Till Freedom Come Productions
Director: Keith A. Beauchamp
Emmett Till
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