With the cinematheque series underway it seems as if we are in the theatre every other night. There was absolutely nothing we wanted to see over the summer so I guess we’re catching up on our sweets and popcorn.

From the trailers we saw for this movie I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it; I find it takes me awhile to adjust to Matthew McConaughey’s accent. The main story takes place during and just after the Civil War in Mississippi (and yes Jackie I did do the little song to make sure I spelled it right!). McConaughey plays the part of real-life deserter and activist, Newton Knight, who organizes a band of men (white and coloured) who fight back against the injustices imposed by both the Confederate and Union armies.

As a small sub-plot we watch Knight’s great-great-great grandson being brought to trial 85 years later for his marriage to a white woman. It is argued in court that he is one-eighth black and therefore has broken Mississippi’s laws.

It is a great movie although, sadly, it would seem history was meant to repeat itself.