The Ballad of John Henry Documentary Screening and Q&A with Filmmaker Matthew Paul Rice

In The Ballad of John Henry, award-winning independent documentary filmmaker Matthew Paul Rice focuses on archival evidence that exonerates John Henry and shows how laws like the Black Codes were passed in the South to control the labor and behavior of former enslaved people. This virtual event, presented by the Departments of Africana Studies and History, features a screening of the film (50 minutes) followed by a live conversation and Q&A with Rice. Screened at numerous film festivals including the St. Louis International Film Festival, Maryland International Film Festival, and Prison City Film Festival, The Ballad of John Henry has won numerous awards including accolades for Best Documentary, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography.

Register in advance for this event through Zoom

About the film:
The legend of John Henry echoes across the pages of American history. His ballad inspired the beginnings of “the blues” and was one of the first-ever recorded country songs. His iconic image helped unite a nation while the whole world was at war. His legacy has even been used to help describe racial health disparities in our country’s public health system. It is hard to imagine that an illiterate ex-slave, a man whom everyone expected to be forgotten, survived all these years as one of America’s first mighty folk heroes. For more information about the film, visit balladofjohnhenry.com

About Matthew Rice:
Matthew first learned of the ballad of John Henry through children’s books in grade school growing to admire the humility and work ethic that John Henry displayed in his contest against the machine. It was not until much later that he discovered Scott Nelson’s book, Steel Drivin’ Man, revealing a completely different story that was covered up by the retelling of history. At the onset of his research, Matthew did not fully realize how laws passed during this time impacted the lives of African Americans. Codes were passed in the South to control the labor and behavior of former enslaved people. This film is meant to be used as an educational resource for subjects pertaining to Reconstruction-era history, one which Matthew wished was available during his tenure as a student.