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NATCHEZ — Natchez native and filmmaker Timothy Givens, who now lives in New York City, saw the “Natchez” documentary when it debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival recently.

Director Suzannah Herbert was in Natchez in 2023 to make the “Natchez” film, which is described as challenging the American South’s unreconciled history. It won best documentary at Tribeca, as well as a number of other awards, such as best cinematography.

Some who were part of the film, but who have not seen it, have questioned whether it provides a fair and accurate look at Natchez’s story.

As a Natchezian, Givens said the experience of seeing the documentary was surreal.

“As a filmmaker, I was impressed by the quality of the work. Producer Darcy McKinnon did a phenomenal job of crafting a powerful film,” said Givens, who directed two award-winning films — “Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson” and “The Saloon.”

However, this latest film looks at Natchez history through a specific lens, he said.

“I respect their efforts to bring those conversations to the forefront, but there is more to Natchez’s history than the film covers. There were definitely movements in the film that caught me off guard. The final scenes are really intense. As someone from Natchez, it was hard not to feel a mix of emotions. I think the filmmakers wanted to challenge the audience and push for reflection. In that sense, they succeeded. Still, there is more to Natchez than what the film shows, but I respect the story they chose to tell. I understand the filmmakers had a particular story to tell, and they did it powerfully.”

Tammy and Wes Pack, who are part-time Natchez residents and owners of historic Holly Hedges, flew to New York specifically to see the film.

“The film did a wonderful job of showcasing the undeniable beauty of Natchez and its unique charm. Most of the residents filmed were portrayed as ‘honest and deeply compassionate,’ as stated by the jury who awarded it the Best Documentary Feature award,” Tammy Pack said.

“It is likely that watching the film in New York with 150 strangers altered how Wes and I experienced it. You can sense the reactions of people around you in any audience. Naturally, we were all shocked and upset during the brief moments toward the end of the film where inexcusable, racist language and sentiments were used by a few people. But on the other hand, the audience seemed to resonate with the kindness and sincerity of so many people in the film,” she said.

After the screening, filmmaker Herbert held a question and answer session with the audience.

“Wes stood up and introduced us and pointed out the scene that we were in. Everyone was smiling and nodding at us and made us feel very welcome and not judged. Several people of different races stayed for a long while wanting to talk in an open and interested way about Natchez,” Pack said. “I don’t think we give people enough credit sometimes. It was apparent to us that they were able — and willing — to separate those whose behavior was blatantly racist or insensitive from the majority of well-intended, kind residents of Natchez.

“I appreciated when Herbert said during the Q&A that her goal with the film was the hope that it would expand some people’s minds and start conversations. She then clarified that this isn’t a southern problem; it’s an American problem, to which the audience nodded and applauded. She said the hope was that everyone watching would reflect on their own complicities and try to do a little better.

“Those who said inappropriate things knew they were being filmed. They were looking at a camera, choosing to say what they said and all signed release forms. That cannot be blamed on the filmmaker. We didn’t see any unfair edits that left a false impression of what was said or done. We left there not feeling as if Natchez as a whole was being attacked but that everyone was seen and treated as an individual and their actions and words will be evaluated by audiences, and even by history, on an individual basis,” Pack said.

Kathleen Bond, superintendent of the Natchez National HIstorical Park, saw the film in Washington, D.C., at the DC/DOX Film Festival about a week ago.

“It’s one person’s vision,” Bond said. “It’s not a comprehensive look at the town.”

Bond, who has lived in Natchez for 32 years, said the movie may “turn off some and it might intrigue others.”

“I think it attempts to gather a few snapshots of the town, and I think the snapshots that were focused on are public facing, meaning those would be how visitors encounter Natchez,” she said. “It’s not meant to be all things to all people … As a portrait of the town, it comes off as a complicated place, but I think the people who come to Natchez are pretty complicated, too. I hope people will see it with an open mind. It’s a creative film, not a tourism promotion piece. It can always be uncomfortable if someone holds a mirror up and you don’t like what you see. Sometimes we can learn from that. But none of us are perfect.”

Herbert said she plans a showing of the film in Natchez sometime in July or August.

“…We hope this film resonates across the country and helps people better understand one another,” Herbert said. “…Natchezians are doing the incredibly hard work of grappling with our country’s difficult past on a daily basis and the film aims to honor and uplift that work. Our intent is for Americans everywhere to find inspiration and hope in this story.”