The documentary series Reel South is premiering 10 new films as part of its ninth season. The series is executive produced by PBS North Carolina and South Carolina ETV. In addition to the national release on public television stations and streaming on the PBS App, Reel South’s ninth season is currently broadcasting on PBS stations nationwide via the WORLD channel. Season 9 features exemplary films documenting the cultures and histories that redefine the American South.
The season premiere on April 8 featured The Volunteer, which tells the story of how Vietnam veteran Bruce Nakashima reunites with the fellow soldier who saved his life during an anti-Asian act of racism within his own company. After a decades-long search for each other, Nakashima and Alabama-native L.V. Hendking relate their lived experiences as Vietnam War veterans of color.
Two feature films are included in the season, including Matthew Hashiguchi’s The Only Doctor, a longitudinal story of a rural medical clinic in southern Georgia and the only doctor running the facility from 2018 through the first years of the pandemic. The other feature film is Veritas and is the public media debut from Cuban-American Eliecer Jimenez. The film retells the calamitous history of the 1962 Bay of Pigs invasion through the personal interviews of the Cuban exiles-turned-mercenaries who felt abandoned by the US government.
Heather Courtney’s film For the Record, whose central protagonist narrates the season trailer, premieres alongside Thom Southerland’s I’m the Girl. Together, as local newspapers wane, a trove of archives remains. Unearthed in these two films are the important stories of any town’s record and the people who keep it. One newspaper publisher strives to keep the town’s paper of record alive, and an iconic photo of an unknown girl is inspected by the women who claim to know the truth.
Below is a full list of the titles airing as part of season 9, with their premiere dates online and broadcast.
- The Volunteer (April 8), Dir. by David Brodie
- The Day That Shook Georgia (April 8), Dir. by Patrick Longstreth
- Veritas (April 15), Dir. by Eliecer Jimenez
- In Exile (April 22), Dir. by Nathan Fitch
- It’s in the Voices (April 22), Dir. Field Humphrey
- Fallout (April 22), Dir. by Madison Hill
- Finding Us (April 22), Dir. by Kathryn Carlson
- The Only Doctor (April 29), Dir. by Matthew Hashiguchi
- For the Record (May 8), Dir. by Heather Courtney
- I’m the Girl (May 8), Dir. by Thom Southerland
Reel South concludes its ninth season with an hour-long program of original shorts that were commissioned and produced last year. Five films, directed by filmmakers representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, engage the spiritual and existential challenges of the South's diverse landscapes. Learn more about Reel South and view films from prior seasons at reelsouth.org.
QUOTES
“We are excited to be part of Reel South's ninth season. This season reminds us of the power of human connection and the communities that emerge from the aftermath of adversity. Reel South continues to be a beacon of authenticity, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase the heart and soul of our region. We are proud to continue partnering with PBS North Carolina to bring these compelling stories to audiences nationwide, fostering dialogue and understanding across communities.” –SCETV President and CEO Adrienne Fairwell
“Reel South is a series that continues to redefine our understanding of the American South through captivating storytelling. These films not only enrich our historical records but also challenge us to reflect on the complexities of our collective past and present. Through the lens of regional perspectives, this season sheds light on underrepresented narratives, offering a profound exploration of our shared cultural heritage.” –SCETV Director of National Content and Regional Operations Don Godish
“This season adds new depth to the historical records the US and the American South have preserved, and it challenges Americans to ask what defines and who establishes our collective posterity. Above all, each film showcases the power of human connection and the communities created in any aftermath.” –Reel South Series Producer Nick Price
FAST FACTS
- The documentary series Reel South is premiering 10 new films as part of its ninth season.
- The series is executive produced by PBS North Carolina and South Carolina ETV.
- In addition to the national release on public television channels and streaming on the PBS App, Reel South’s ninth season is currently broadcasting on PBS stations nationwide via WORLD channel.
- Learn more about Reel South and view films from prior seasons at reelsouth.org.
About South Carolina ETV and Public Radio
South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV) is the state's public educational broadcasting network. SCETV amplifies South Carolina voices, provides educational experiences and strengthens communities, while working toward creating a stronger, more connected and informed South Carolina. In addition to airing local programs, such as Carolina Classrooms, Making It Grow, and This Week in South Carolina, SCETV also presents multiple programs to regional and national audiences, including By The River, After Action, Reconnecting Roots, Reel South, Somewhere South, Yoga in Practice, Downing of a Flag and How She Rolls. In addition, SC Public Radio produces the national radio production, Chamber Music from Spoleto Festival USA.
About Reel South
Reel South is a PBS documentary series co-produced by PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV and Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and produced in association with Alabama Public Television, Arkansas PBS, Texas PBS, Tennessee Public Television Council and VPM. Reel South is a platform for and a service to non-fiction filmmakers in the American South working within the region’s tradition of storytelling.
Media Contact:
- A Press Kit is available for PBS Stations on the Source and for public use on Dropbox.
- All filmmakers are available for interview and engagement. Screeners available upon request. Please email Nick Price for outreach.
Nick Price
Series Producer
nick@reelsouth.org
Landon Masters
media@scetv.org
803-737-3337
“Reel South” shares 10 new films with audiences nationwide (PDF)
