Summary: "Free State of Jones" is a historical drama film set during the American Civil War. It follows the true story of Newton Knight, a poor Mississippi farmer who leads a rebellion against the Confederacy. After deserting the Confederate army, Knight establishes a mixed-race community of farmers, runaway slaves, and Confederate deserters in the Piney Woods region of Jones County, Mississippi. Together, they fight to secede from the Confederacy and establish the Free State of Jones, a pro-Union enclave within the Confederate states. The film explores the complex racial and economic dynamics of the Civil War era, as Knight and his followers challenge the established social order and fight for their freedom and autonomy.

Why Watch:

🎥 History buffs: This film provides a unique and little-known perspective on the American Civil War, focusing on the grassroots resistance to the Confederacy by ordinary citizens rather than the larger military campaigns.

📚 Students of American history: The film offers a thought-provoking exploration of the racial and economic divides that shaped the Civil War era, and the challenges faced by those who sought to challenge the status quo.

🧠 Viewers interested in social justice: The film's depiction of Knight's multiracial community and their fight for self-determination resonates with broader themes of equality, resistance, and the struggle for civil rights.