You Got to Move

You Got to Move is a compelling documentary film that debuted in 1985. It's one of the best examples of how powerful and transformative cinematic storytelling can be when it seeks to illuminate real-life, ongoing struggles for social change and justice.

The movie focuses on the inspirational life and work of Myles Horton, who founded the Highlander Folk School, later the Highlander Research and Education Center, in Tennessee. Horton was an American educator, civil rights activist, and social change advocate; personalities like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Pete Seeger attended his institution for educating community leaders. His fervor for justice and story continue to stir social movements across the world.

You Got to Move is not just about Horton’s life. Instead, it becomes the nexus from which audiences are introduced to a host of personalities — all alumni of the Highlander School and dedicated activists working towards changing their conditions. Director Lucy Massie Phenix does a remarkable job examining the transformative consequences of grassroots activism fighting against racial, economic, and social injustice.

May Justice, one of the loveliest characters spotlighted in the film, is a retired coal miner's wife from Kentucky. She is revealed as a brave woman whose spirit remains unbroken despite the crushing injustice of strip mining devastating her homeland. Bernice Johnson Reagon, a cultural historian, songwriter, and social activist, leads the viewers through different accounts of social advocacy. Her contributions underscore Horton's belief in blending cultural learning with participatory democracy leading to palpable changes.

The documentary takes us through the stories of ordinary men and women who discovered the power within them to resist, organize, and seek changes against all odds because of their experiences at Highlander. The school operated on the simple yet profound philosophy that with education and support, the common people could understand and address the injustices and prejudices that perturbed their society.

Another fascinating aspect of You Got to Move is the use of music. Folk songs interweave the narrative, acting as an emotional bridge linking the audience to the pulse of grassroots activism. These songs play a dual role; they are a form of protest and an educational tool enhancing the theoretical material taught at the Highlander School.

The documentary possesses an honest and organic quality. The filmmakers let the subjects speak, and their personal accounts make You Got to Move a profoundly human story. While the documentary reflects on the racially separated South of the past, it also softly echoes in the viewer’s mind that people facing any kind of inequality can stand up, confront their problems, and effect significant change.

The cinematography by Tom Hurwitz is beautifully engaging, subtly ensuring that the scenes are not merely backdrop but an informant of the environment that breeds the discriminations these activists struggle against. The pastoral landscapes of Tennessee or the industrial greys of Kentucky, the lives, and stories all guide the viewer in recognizing the heartland of American social activism, unearthed to the rest of the world through the lens of Horton's Summerhill school.

You Got to Move ultimately is a testament to the spirit of the underprivileged majority who, with little help and encouragement, can rise against any adversary. It is an engrossing journey through the lives of these unsung heroes, their struggles and determination unveiled. This film is a potent reminder that social change is not instantaneous but a painstakingly slow process that starts with one person and a desire to make a difference.

Laced with honesty and resilience, You Got to Move is a beacon of hope and empowerment. It speaks volumes about the indomitable human spirit and the lengths it can reach, despite the chains of injustice and bigotry. It is a must-watch for those who believe that change, no matter how small, can alter the course of history.