arts and culture

In his book, The South Never Plays Itself, author, and film critic Ben Beard explores the history of the Deep South on screen, beginning with silent cinema and ending in the streaming era, from President Wilson to President Trump, from musical to comedy to horror to crime to melodrama. Opinionated, obsessive, sweeping, often combative, sometimes funny―a wild narrative tumble into culture both high and low―Beard attempts to answer the haunting question: what do movies know about the South that we don’t?

From opera to chamber music and Scottish ballet, this year’s Spoleto Festival USA includes more than 120 performances over 17 days.

Since The Birth of a Nation became the first Hollywood blockbuster in 1915, movies have struggled to reckon with the American South—as both a place and an idea, a reality and a romance, a lived experience, and a bitter legacy. In The South Never Plays Itself: A Film Buff’s Journey Through the South on Screen (2023, UGA Press), author and film critic B. W. Beard explores the history of the Deep South on screen, beginning with silent cinema and ending in the streaming era. Beard talks with Walter Edgar about what the movies got right, and what stereotypes they created or perpetuate.

Since The Birth of a Nation became the first Hollywood blockbuster in 1915, movies have struggled to reckon with the American South—as both a place and an idea, a reality and a romance, a lived experience, and a bitter legacy. In The South Never Plays Itself: A Film Buff’s Journey Through the South on Screen (2023, UGA Press), author and film critic B. W. Beard explores the history of the Deep South on screen, beginning with silent cinema and ending in the streaming era. Beard talks with Walter Edgar about what the movies got right, and what stereotypes they created or perpetuate.

“S” is for Sanders, Dorinda (Dori) Watsee (b. 1934) Farmer, novelist. Sanders was born in Filbert, in York County. Although she had moved to Maryland in the 1950s, she returned home every year during the growing season helping her family on their two hundred acre peach farm.

“S” is for Sanders, Dorinda (Dori) Watsee (b. 1934) Farmer, novelist. Sanders was born in Filbert, in York County. Although she had moved to Maryland in the 1950s, she returned home every year during the growing season helping her family on their two hundred acre peach farm.

“D” is for Davis, Gary (1896-1972). Musician. A native of Laurens, Davis was a highly accomplished and innovative guitarist who influenced numerous blues and folk musicians.

The composers of the much-anticipated opera—which premiered on the opening day of the 2022 Spoleto Festival USA—describe how their choices about melody, harmony, rhythm, style, and lyrics work together to bring the story of Omar ibn Said to audiences in a new way.

“K” is for Kitt, Eartha (1927-2008). Actress, singer.

“K” is for Kitt, Eartha (1927-2008). Actress, singer.