Reel South
Season 2
REEL SOUTH is a cooperative documentary series between the South's PBS-member stations: PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, Alabama Public Television, Arkansas PBS, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, Texas Tech Public Media, and Virginia's VPM. Support for Reel South is brought to audiences by the National Endowment for the Arts, Center for Asian American Media, and by SouthArts.
Where to Watch Season 2
12 Episodes
- Soul CityE1
Soul CityLearn the story of a group of civil rights activists who attempted to build a multiracial utopia—Soul City—in the heart of North Carolina’s Klan country during the 1970s. Rich archival material, interviews with former and current Soul City residents, animation and soulful rhythms of the era bring alive the vision of founder Floyd B. McKissick and his band of idealists who, despite the odds stacked against them, risked it all to build the city of their dreams. - Eat White Dirt
E2Eat White DirtDiscover the oddly spellbinding personal, cultural and scientific history of the deeply transgressive and often misunderstood practice of consuming earth, a phenomenon known as geophagy. The film collects and combines the experiences, processes and explanations of people who eat white dirt with information from the scientists who study the phenomenon. - Deep Run
E3Deep RunExiled by family and rejected by an ex, 17-year-old Jasmine finds new love and the courage to become Cole, a strong-willed transgender man, in this powerful verité portrait of trans life in rural North Carolina. Cole’s candid humor and steadfast Christian beliefs counter the bigotry he experiences daily. Executive produced by Susan Sarandon. - OverburdenE4
OverburdenMeet two unforgettable women—a fiery, pro-coal right-winger and a tenacious, environmentalist grandmother—whose lives collide when a mine disaster shatters their community. Filmed over seven years, the pair’s courageous story underscores the need for reconciliation as they take on a rogue industry to help heal their Appalachian Mountain community. - State of EugenicsE5
State of EugenicsBetween 1933 and 1974, the state of North Carolina ran one of the most aggressive eugenics programs, sterilizing more than 7,600 men, women and children. This film follows the journey of survivors, legislators and journalists who insist the state confront its role in the tragic, forced sterilization of thousands of Americans thought to have “undesirable” genetics. - The Exceptionally Extraordinary EmporiumE6
The Exceptionally Extraordinary EmporiumCome along with colorful characters carrying on a cherished Mardi Gras tradition as they gather at the epicenter of all things costuming—the family-owned Jefferson Variety fabric and craft store. The film highlights the creativity and personal expression linked in the cultural identity and narrative of New Orleans and provides a deeper look into the significance of costuming and the carnival season. - Private ViolenceE9
Private ViolencePrivate Violence is a feature-length documentary film that explores a simple, but deeply disturbing fact of American life: the most dangerous place for a woman in America is her own home. Every day in the US, at least four women are murdered by abusive (and often, ex) partners. - Red Wolf RevivalE10
Red Wolf RevivalThree decades ago, the nearly extinct red wolf was reintroduced in North Carolina. While this flagship conservation effort paved the way for reintroducing several other species across the country, today fewer than 100 wild red wolves remain—and their fate hinges on significant biological, political, cultural and economic challenges. - Enduring LegacyE11
Enduring LegacyLittle known even in their home state, the Croatians of Lower Plaquemines Parish have used grit and determination to build an oystering industry that has made Louisiana famous. Follow the lives of four people who embody the 150-year Croatian experience in Louisiana and share in the history of this unique tight-knit community. - Shake 'em on Down
E12Shake 'em on DownShake 'em On Down' is the story of Fred McDowell, the godfather of the North Mississippi style of blues. Through interviews and never-before-seen footage of Fred McDowell and other blues legends, the film tells the story of a Mississippi sharecropper who went on to influence the music of the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, RL Burnside, Taj Mahal and the North Mississipp All Stars.
