Discoveries…America: Mississippi 2005
Distributed by Bennett-Watt Entertainment, 13021 244th Ave. Southeast, Issaquah, Washington 98027; 800-327-2893
Produced by Bennett-Watt HD Productions, Inc.
Director n/a
DVD, color, 60 min.
Grade 4 - Adult
Travel and Tourism
Date Entered: 01/12/2006
Reviewed by Dawn Eckenrode, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Daniel A. Reed Library, State University of New York College at FredoniaThe Discoveries…America video series strives to reveal the cultural spirit of the United States by providing 60 minute video essays on the unique characteristics of each state, and this installment in the series focuses on the people and culture of Mississippi. The video provides short vignettes on a variety of locations, activities and events representative of the state’s identity, including the following: the historic, antebellum mansions of Natchez, waterfront gambling, food and social customs, bluegrass and gospel music, the Mississippi Petrified Forest, William Faulkner’s home, the Thacker Mountain Radio Show, a Bonsai Tree farm, and the Belzoni Catfish Festival.
In covering such a wide variety of topics the video fails to provide much in the way of substantial information, and often sounds more like a marketing piece for the tourism industry than a viable education tool. Much of the information included is glossed over and subjective, for example, the portion of the video devoted to the topic Mississippi casinos is glowingly narrated by an employee of the state’s gaming commission. Additionally, the inclusion of some topics is puzzling, while more culturally apropos information is omitted. For example there is a portion of the video which focuses on bluegrass and gospel music, but the Delta blues are never mentioned. More serious cultural issues, such as those of racial disparity and poverty, are completely avoided. While this video is entertaining and useful for planning a vacation, it is not recommended for educational purposes.