Son of the South 2021

The curtain opens on April 5, 1961, as we are introduced to Bob Zellner (no relation), a senior at all-White Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. As the son of a Methodist minister, Zellner’s curiosity is piqued by the complexities of race relations, prompting him to join four fellow students on an expedition to explore the nuances of this sensitive topic. Their journey takes them to a Baptist Black church, where they attend an event commemorating the fifth anniversary of the 1955-1956 Montgomery bus boycott, hosted by influential figures Ralph Abernathy and Rosa Parks.

As the evening unfolds, the police arrive to arrest those in attendance, but Zellner and his companions evade capture by making their escape through a back door. This brief encounter leaves an indelible mark on Zellner’s consciousness, earning him the moniker “Huntingdon Five” in the local press. A chilling symbol of intolerance is subsequently etched onto the lawn outside Zellner’s room - a cross burned by the Ku Klux Klan.

The fateful events of May 19, 1961, serve as a turning point for Zellner. Witnessing an attack on the Freedom Riders, he springs into action to assist Jessica Mitford in her time of need. Initially a passive supporter of the civil rights movement, Zellner’s involvement deepens as he becomes SNCC’s first White field secretary. Initially met with skepticism by some black activists, Zellner must prove his commitment and dedication to the cause.

One fateful night in McComb, Mississippi, on October 30, 1961, Zellner faces a harrowing experience during a march to the county courthouse. Narrowly escaping a lynching at the hands of rural white southerners, he is shaken to his core. In the aftermath of Herbert Lee’s murder, Zellner is compelled to re-evaluate his involvement in the movement. A violent confrontation with a former friend, who had orchestrated the attempted lynching, serves as a wake-up call. Zellner’s commitment to the cause is reaffirmed, and he rededicates himself to the struggle for civil rights.

The film concludes with a poignant montage of Zellner’s activism throughout the 1960s, paying tribute to his mentor, the late John Lewis, who played a pivotal role in shaping his journey.