PBS NC's IL Pop-up Preview Screening of Mr. SOUL! and Virtual Discussion
Event Information
About this Event
PBS North Carolina, together with RiverRun International Film Festival and State Library North Carolina, proudly present an IL Pop-up Preview Screening and Discussion — Mr. SOUL!
About the film: In this upcoming episode from the acclaimed PBS documentary series Independent Lens, we explore the life and public broadcasting variety show of Ellis Haizlip—Mr. SOUL! Before Oprah, before Arsenio, there was Ellis Haizlip—Mr. SOUL! On the heels of the civil rights movement, the public television variety show SOUL!, offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music, and politics—voices that had few other options for national television exposure. Guided by the enigmatic producer and host Ellis Haizlip, the series was among the first to provide expanded images of Black Americans on television and recognize the vibrancy of the Black Arts Movement. The film celebrates the groundbreaking PBS series against the backdrop of a swiftly changing political and social landscape, while profiling Haizlip, the charismatic man behind one of the most culturally significant and successful TV shows in U.S. history. With participants’ recollections and archival clips, Mr. SOUL! captures a critical moment in culture whose impact continues to resonate.
This special event begins with a preview screening of the documentary Mr. SOUL! Following the screening, join PBS North Carolina—and special host Chief Growth Officer Susan Scott—for an engaging virtual discussion and Q&A featuring the filmmaker Melissa Haizlip. Scott and Haizlip will discuss the film and answer questions about her uncle Ellis Haizlip, the Black Arts movements, and about her documentary filmmaking process. Engagement throughout the discussion is encouraged and you will be able to ask questions via the chat feature. We will make every attempt to get to all questions submitted.
Mr. SOUL! premieres on Independent Lens, Monday, February 22, at 10 PM, on PBS North Carolina (formerly UNC-TV), your local PBS station, and on the PBS streaming app.
About Melissa Haizlip
Melissa Haizlip is a Boston-born award-winning film producer, director and writer. Her Mr. SOUL! won the Critic's Choice Documentary Award for Best First Documentary Feature and Best Music Documentary award at the 2018 International Documentary Association Awards.
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Virtual Event Details
Date: Tuesday, February 2, at 7 PM
(Virtual Link will be sent via email)
Time: 7-8:30 PM
Meet the Filmmaker—Melissa Haizlip!
Discussion topic: Black Arts Movement, music and culture
This is a FREE, VIRTUAL event, but registration is required.
To reserve your seat(s), please register via Eventbrite or contact PBS North Carolina Events Coordinator Karen Nowak at knowak@pbsnc.org
Virtual link to join the event will be emailed to you prior to the event.
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About the First Tuesday Film Screening Series
This event is the second in a series of four film screenings, held in partnership with State Library North Carolina and RiverRun International Film Festival, on the first Tuesday of the month from January-April, 2021. Screenings and discussions are virtual events that take place from the comfort and safety of your home or office on your computer, laptop or mobile device.
- 9to5: The Story of a Movement —Screening Event: Tuesday, January 5, 2021
- Mr. SOUL!—Screening Event: Tuesday, February 2, 2021
- Coded Bias—Screening Event: Tuesday, March 2, 2021
- Philly D.A.—Screening Event: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Save the date! Register for the entire series of screening events!
Register for Preview Screening of Coded Bias on Tuesday, March 2
Register for Preview Screening of Philly D.A. on Tuesday, April 6.
Missed last month's screening? Visit video.pbsnc.org or watch on the PBS streaming app.
Click here to view previously recorded virtual panel discussions.
When and Where to Watch:
Watch Independent Lens Mondays, at 10PM, on PBS North Carolina (formerly UNC-TV), and on the PBS streaming app.
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The screening and discussion events are made possible in partnership with Independent Lens, ITVS, State Library North Carolina and RiverRun International Film Festival.