MontanaPBS Indie Lens Pop-Up continues with ‘Mr. SOUL!’
From MSU News Service
BOZEMAN — MontanaPBS will screen ‘Mr. SOUL!’ as the second film in its Indie Lens Pop-Up season. The station will host the free virtual screening at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in partnership with Basin PBS.
In 1968, producer Ellis Haizlip developed a new show aimed at Black audiences, one that used the familiar variety show format to display and celebrate the breadth of Black culture. For five years, the public television series SOUL! highlighted Black literature, music and politics, and it often paired guests in unexpected juxtapositions that gave them an opportunity to shine. “Mr. SOUL!,” by filmmaker Melissa Haizlip, uses participants’ recollections and illuminating archival clips to capture a moment in culture.
Featuring documentaries seen on the PBS series “Independent Lens,” Indie Lens Pop-Up events bring people together for film screenings and community-driven conversations on a range of topics, such as family and relationships. In an effort to minimize in-person events, MontanaPBS has launched its Indie Lens Pop-Up season on OVEE, a free screening platform that allows attendees to participate with the hosts and guests in real time via a chat window and emoji reactions.
Before the film, attendees will have the opportunity to watch a variety of musical performances from the MontanaPBS series, “Live From Home: A Montana Music Special,” including performances by Luke Dowler, The Lucky Valentines, Andre Floyd and Melissa Forette.
To RSVP, visit montanapbs.org/events. Attendees who enter their email address upon RSVP will be eligible to win a door prize; MontanaPBS will select one winner at random to receive a Google Home device as a thank you for attending the virtual event. •