PBS North Carolina to Premiere 'A Town Called Victoria' on November 13
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PBS NORTH CAROLINA TO PREMIERE ‘A TOWN CALLED VICTORIA’ ON NOVEMBER 13
The three-part docuseries from Reel South and Independent Lens follows a small Texas community in the aftermath of an apparent hate crime.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 11/2/2023 — PBS North Carolina, co-producer of the documentary series Reel South, announces the premiere of the three-part docuseries A Town Called Victoria.
On January 28, 2017, leaders of the Muslim community in Victoria, Texas, watched as their mosque burned to the ground. A Town Called Victoria, a Reel South and INDEPENDENT LENS original production, follows the aftermath and investigation into the fire to answer the question of how a multifaith community can unite and turn against hate.
A Town Called Victoria debuts on Monday, November 13, at 9 PM, on PBS NC and on the free PBS App. PBS Passport members can stream all episodes of the series now. The serieswill also be accessible via PBS’ flagship YouTube channel beginning November 14.
“The story of the people of Victoria is one of resilience and commitment to community in the face of hate,” said the series’ director Li Lu. “As a Texan and an immigrant myself, I felt so drawn to capture and share this story because I deeply understand the push and pull you feel between love of your home and the complexity of the minority experience. The story touches so many expansive themes of American life—religion, patriotism, masculinity, race, history, politics, hate, hope—it felt like a microcosm of our times. I hope the series provokes viewers to reflect on the power and potential we all have in our communities to come together, work through hardship, advocate for the marginalized and pursue collective healing.”
PBS North Carolina will host a virtual preview screening of the first episode of A Town Called Victoria on Thursday, November 9, at 7 PM. Free and open to all, this screening is the first Indie Lens Pop-Up event of the 2023–2024 season. Rachel Raney, executive producer of Reel South and Director of National Productions at PBS North Carolina, will moderate a panel discussion after the screening. Panelists include series producer/director Li Lu as well as Omar Rachid and Lanell Mantey Rachid, two members of Victoria’s Muslim community who are featured in the series. For more information and to register, visit EventBrite.
“It’s unsettling to think a hate crime might strike close to home,” said Rachel Raney. “Unfortunately, what happened in Victoria will feel relevant to communities, large and small, all across the country. With this docuseries, we go beyond the headlines to witness how one American town moved forward in the difficult days and weeks after hate landed on their doorstep.”
INDEPENDENT LENS is presented by Independent Television Services (ITVS), the largest co-producer of independent documentaries in the United States. To learn more about the series and its creators, visit itvs.org/films/a-town-called-victoria.
Major funding for A Town Called Victoria is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). For more information, visit www.cpb.org.
A Town Called Victoria is co-produced by the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) and is a part of the INDEPENDENT LENS Stories for Justice initiative, which aims to spotlight films and series that foster further dialogue and reform around criminal justice in the United States.
A Town Called Victoria is also a part of The WNET Group’s reporting initiative “Exploring Hate: Antisemitism, Racism and Extremism.” To learn more, visit pbs.org/exploringhate. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @exploringhate
About Reel South
Reel South reveals the South’s proud yet complicated heritage, as told by a diversity of voices and perspectives, through the curation and distribution of feature-length and short documentaries. Reel South is a PBS documentary series co-produced by PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, and Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and produced in association with Alabama Public Television, Arkansas PBS, South Florida PBS, Texas PBS, Tennessee Public Television Council, and VPM. Reel South is a platform for and a service to nonfiction filmmakers in the American South. To learn more, visit reelsouth.org. Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @reelsouthdocs
About INDEPENDENT LENS
INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS App. For more visit pbs.org/independentlens
About WNET
The WNET Group creates inspiring media content and meaningful experiences for diverse audiences nationwide. It is the community-supported home of New York’s THIRTEEN—America’s flagship PBS station—WLIW21, THIRTEEN PBS KIDS, WLIW WORLD and CREATE; NJ PBS, New Jersey’s statewide public television network; Long Island’s only NPR station WLIW-FM; ALL ARTS, the arts and culture media provider; newsroom NJ Spotlight News; and FAST channel PBS NATURE. Through these channels and streaming platforms, The WNET Group brings arts, culture, education, news, documentary, entertainment and DIY programming to more than five million viewers each month. The WNET Group’s award-winning productions include signature PBS series NATURE, GREAT PERFORMANCES, AMERICAN MASTERS and AMANPOUR AND COMPANY, and trusted local news programs METROFOCUS and NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI. Inspiring curiosity and nurturing dreams, The WNET Group’s award-winning Kids’ Media and Education team produces the PBS KIDS series CYBERCHASE, interactive MISSION US history games and resources for families, teachers and caregivers. A leading nonprofit public media producer for more than 60 years, The WNET Group presents and distributes content that fosters lifelong learning, including multiplatform initiatives addressing poverty, jobs, economic opportunity, social justice, understanding and the environment. Through Passport, station members can stream new and archival programming anytime, anywhere. The WNET Group represents the best in public media. Join us.
About PBS North Carolina
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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