Critical Response
HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL
“Insightful, honest, and harrowing. One of the most important movies I’ve ever seen. And proof that apathy can be as hurtful, destructive and, yes, evil, as direct involvement.” – Audience Review, October 24, 2009
“A provocative look at race relations that forces us to question how far we’ve progressed since 1964 when three young men sacrificed their lives to change racial injustice.” – Audience Review, October 24, 2009
“A thought provoking insight into a racist’s mind, and how a community comes to terms with its past in order to move forward.” — Audience Review, October 24, 2009
“The film stunningly exhibits the injustice, treachery, and torture that have pierced our collective American biography…There’s a beauty in how it’s put together. We felt like we were there, living different sides of the story.” — Audience Review, October 25, 2009
“Amazing, provocative, disturbing in every good way.” — Audience Review, October 25, 2009
SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL
“Neshoba is a profound film that reminds those who were around in 1964 that a good fight must never end, and one at the top of the to-see movie list of those too young to know about these horrible injustices. — Diana Saenger, Review Express, September 25, 2009
“A tremendous documentary! Not only tells the brave story of the victims, but explores how passion and ignorance can result in violence. The tie-in with today’s ‘debates’ are unspoken yet unquestionable. A great film.” — Audience Review, September 26, 2009
“Fantastic story, sad but moving. The directors do a great job of letting us wonder what happens in the end. Fans of documentaries or thrillers (Actually) will love this film. It’s a real life, no joke, dramatic thrill ride into how evil some humans can be.” — Audience Review, September 26, 2009
IMDB REVIEW
“Neshoba follows Killen throughout the trial, and for the first time gives us Killen’s chilling racism in his own words. Interviews with family members of the three victims ground the film in reality of the events of that summer, and the comments of residents make it clear the city of Philadelphia and Neshoba County are still divided more than forty years after the murders…The resulting film is a surprisingly balanced treatment of a potentially explosive situation, one that provides real insights into a society that produced state-sponsored terrorism…And when you see it, don’t get up to leave before the final credits, because they provide one last powerful and disturbing insight into the massive injustices of our nation’s recent past. –- Film Critic, Seattle, WA, April 18, 2009
TRACKING SHOTS
Neshoba (***1/2) A strong documentary about the efforts of citizens in Philadelphia, Mississippi to get the state to prosecute Edgar Ray Killen…What really sets this film apart is the directors amazing access to Killen who blames the victims parents for letting them go on the trip…This is an expertly made documentary with superior editing that really delves into a frightening part of our history. — Larry McGillicuddy, Film Critic, Atlanta, GA, April 22, 2009
ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
Absolutely wonderful. The story was finally told. I hope this makes it to the “big” screen, for all to see and enjoy. Great movie! — Audience review, April 25, 2009
Amazing. I want a copy and I want everyone I know to see it. I want to watch this with my son, who will never know a world where a black man can’t be president. Thank you. Very powerful. – Audience review, April 25, 2009
Everyone should see this masterfully done movie. A piece of American history that nobody should forget…ever! – Audience review, April 25, 2009
Inspiring and unforgettable. I loved the juxtaposition of past and present, good and evil. Kept me on the edge of my seat. — Audience review, April 25, 2009
FILM ESSENT
An excellent documentary…I hope someone gets this film distributed; the subject matter is compelling, and the artistry with which the film was shot and edited makes it stand out above many independent documentaries –Kim Voynar, Movie City News, February 9, 2009
OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL
“Neshoba” is a true gift to any viewer privileged to see it! A story of the choice between hope and hatred with a narrative that will leave you shaking and teary-eyed long after the credits roll while looking promisingly towards the future of the South and this country! — C.C. Harrison, posted on festival website, February 7, 2009
ONE PEG GENIUS Movie Review
The movie was awesome. I was brought to tears on many occasions…Go see this film. It’s a heart wrenching piece of American history and what is being done today in Philadelphia, Mississippi is truly a beautiful thing. –Rob Rubinoff, personal website, February 9, 2009
INDIE MEMPHIS FILM FESTIVAL
“Neshoba” moved me to tears. Among the year’s most important films because it makes us face our history — the good, the bad and the ugly– while at the same time offering hope for our future. A must see film for all Americans. — donnie betts, Judge, INDIE MEMPHIS
VARIETY
“The arm of justice proves very long indeed in “Neshoba,” which recounts efforts to retry the ringleader behind the murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi, four decades later. Accused Edgar Ray Killen’s surprising cooperation with the film — which doesn’t flatter him at all — and some townspeople’s lingering indifference make this a disturbing peek at how little some people have changed, as well as an inspiring portrait of others’ determination to see crime punished at last…potent content should ensure an extended life in broadcast and educational markets…The victim’s surviving relatives are interviewed, but undeniably, the star here is Killen, whose loathsomeness is only underlined by the fact that he’s a longtime Baptist minister who goes by the moniker Preacher. These elements, particularly the archival ones, are riveting. — Dennis Harvey, November 4, 2008
AARP.ORG
‘Neshoba’ Onscreen: Mississippi Still Burning?
Neshoba, the newest documentary produced and directed by two-time Emmy Award-winner Micki Dickoff, working with Tony Pagano, explores issues of truth and reconciliation in Neshoba County four decades after the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers outside Philadelphia, MS, which was the basis of the Mississippi Burning plotline. Seen September 18th, in the New York International Independent Film & Video festival, Neshoba received a standing ovation in the fully-packed Village East Cinema space. The value of truth-telling as groundwork for justice-and not only for reconciliation between citizens but also for a community to come to terms with its own past-was a major theme of the film…This latest twist on Mississippi justice makes [this film] only more timely. — Anne Mollegen Smith, October 14, 2008
THE INDYPENDENT
“While Killen comes across as an old-school bigot who makes repeated quips about commie-Jewish-Christ killers, the film nonetheless presents him as a scapegoat. The point is simple: Killen did not act alone. Gripping…compelling.” — Eleanor J. Bader, November 17, 2008
NEW TIMES
The most interesting thing is the way the film penetrates into the tightly sealed society of Neshoba County and shows how a guilty conscience has frozen the community in time…it’s a shock. — Brandon K. Thorp, October 16, 2008
EAST BAY EXPRESS
The filmmakers scored a major coup when “Preacher” Edgar Ray Killen, the man “everyone in town” knows was behind the crime, agreed to participate in the making of the documentary during his 2005 trial…fascinating. — Kelly Vance, October 29, 2008
MEMPHIS BLOG
This is great stuff. Filmmakers Micki Dickoff and Tony Pagano gained absolutely amazing access to Killen; they’re even in his home with him the night before the verdict in his case is due to be delivered. — Indie Memphis, October 12, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO DOCUFEST BLOG
“Neshoba” is a great film…truly inspiring and a cause for hope. The most fascinating part of the movie is the unfettered access they got to Killen, and some of the vile things that come from his mouth. A well made, powerful movie. — Jason at Docfest, October 20, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Micki Dickoff was born a New Yorker, but her father was born in “the only Jewish family” in a small Mississippi Delta town. He knew discrimination. At 16, Dickoff wanted to return to her ancestral home state to participate in the Freedom Summer of 1964, a project that attempted to register African Americans to vote. The film “Neshoba,” which Dickoff and Tony Pagano directed, is the culmination of a 44-year quest…”The wound keeps festering – even a wound that’s 44 years old.” — G. Allen Johnson, October 16, 2008