An Ordinary Hero: The True Story of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland

I saw this documentary for the first time at Doc Utah last September. When I heard that a local film-maker had made a film about his mother's role in the Civil Rights movement, I figured it would be of limited production values, and be over-the-top in glorifying his mother.

I was completely wrong on both counts.

This film offers a very interesting and emotional recounting of Joan Mulholland's participation in the "freedom Rider's" movement, the lunch counter sit-ins, and other important and history-altering events in 1960s Mississippi. The film flows easily from one event to the next, with very coherent interviews with important participants in these events, offering a variety of perspectives. I walked out of that first showing amazed at how much I didn't know about these events, and with a deep appreciation to Loki Mulholland for capturing his mother and the other witnesses on film telling their stories.

The film is very suitable for pre-teens and older, who as a result of watching this documentary will feel that they too can change the world.