A Memphis filmmaker is helping audiences take a closer look at how Southern stories are told. Through a new documentary, Natchez, director Suzannah Herbert brings attention to the connection between history, place, and personal experience. After an exclusive conversation with Choose901, more context emerges about how Memphis shaped her path and why this film matters now.
A Memphis Foundation That Shaped the Work
Suzannah Herbert’s story begins in Memphis. She attended Snowden and Central High School and grew up in a family connected to the arts. That environment helped shape how stories are understood and shared. “Memphis was an incredible place to grow up and made me who I am in all ways,” Herbert said.
Her education also played a key role. Early exposure to Facing History and Ourselves, lessons about the Civil Rights Movement, and broader global history influenced how she approaches storytelling. That background created a focus on examining difficult truths and understanding how history continues to affect people today.
These Memphis roots show up clearly in Natchez. The film does not avoid hard topics. Instead, it reflects a mindset shaped by a city that has long been part of major historical conversations.
A Story That Started With a Question
The idea for Natchez came from a personal moment. Herbert was invited to a wedding on a plantation, which led to questions about how places tied to painful history are used today. “It really got me thinking about how we use sites of such pain and misery for our own enjoyment today,” she said.
That question led to a road trip starting in Memphis and moving through the Delta. The journey ended in Natchez, Mississippi, where the contrast between the town’s appearance and its history stood out. The film focuses on that contrast, showing both the beauty of the area and the deeper issues connected to its past.
Producer Darcy McKinnon, based in New Orleans, joined the project with a similar interest in Southern history. Together, they built a film that looks at how communities manage memory, identity, and economic survival. Their combined perspectives helped shape a story that connects multiple Southern cities, including Memphis.
Why Natchez Matters Now
At its core, Natchez asks viewers to think about how history is told and who gets to tell it. The film highlights a town that depends on tourism tied to the “Old South,” while also dealing with the realities of that history.
Herbert hopes audiences reflect on their own role in these conversations. “I hope that people have some introspection and think about their own ways in which we all can be complicit in systems of oppression, whether it’s through voting or our everyday lives. The film asks the question, ‘Why is it important that we acknowledge and we talk about are really some of the more difficult parts our history?’ The film shows that towards the end, the consequences of what happens when we don’t fully acknowledge our past and when we really celebrate the mythologies of the Old South.” she said.
The documentary also encourages people to question everyday surroundings. McKinnon pointed out that many places carry complex histories that often go unexamined. Understanding those stories can change how communities move forward.
The film has already reached new audiences through social media, where a trailer shared on TikTok helped build early interest. That response shows how younger viewers are engaging with these topics in new ways.
@darcymckinnon I couldn’t be prouder to have produced this documentary - fresh off of our Tribeca win, we are headed to Atlanta 11/7, for our theatrical premiere at The Tara Theater- tickets are on sale now!
♬ original sound - Darcy | Gusto Moving Pictures
A Memphis Story With Regional Impact
Even though Natchez focuses on a Mississippi town, its roots in Memphis are clear. The film reflects the kind of questions that often come from this city — questions about history, identity, and responsibility.
Through Herbert’s work, Memphis continues to influence conversations beyond its borders. Natchez is part of a larger effort to better understand Southern history and how it shapes the present.
The film premieres on PBS on May 11 and will be available to stream on the PBS app and PBS Documentaries YouTube channel, offering audiences a chance to engage with these ideas and consider how stories from the South are told moving forward.
