Watch Reel South

2022
7 Seasons
0.0 (5)

Reel South is a fascinating documentary series on PBS that takes audiences on a journey through the American South to explore the region's complex social and cultural landscape. Produced by a diverse team of filmmakers, each episode delves into a unique topic, from music and literature to history and politics. One of the standout episodes of Reel South is "The Sanctity of Sanctuary," which tells the story of two women who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and caring for animals. Sharon Preston-Folta and Mary Thorn are two of the most passionate animal welfare advocates in the country, and their work has earned them a legion of fans and followers. The episode begins with the story of Mary Thorn, an eccentric woman who shares her home with more than a dozen rescue animals, including a giant alligator named Rambo. Mary has always loved animals, and her desire to care for them stems from a deep sense of compassion and respect for all living creatures. Despite facing numerous legal and financial challenges over the years, Mary remains committed to her mission of providing sanctuary for animals in need. Next, we meet Sharon Preston-Folta, a former Wall Street executive who gave up her high-powered career to follow her passion for animal welfare. Sharon founded the Suwannee Valley Humane Society in Florida, which has become a beacon of hope for animals in the region. Sharon's approach to animal rescue focuses on education and community outreach, encouraging people to become informed and engaged in animal welfare issues. As we follow Sharon and Mary on their respective journeys, we get a firsthand look at the challenges they face as animal advocates in the South. From navigating legal obstacles and dealing with skeptical law enforcement officers to finding the resources to care for animals in need, there are many barriers that stand in the way of their work. Despite these challenges, however, Sharon and Mary remain undaunted in their commitment to the animals they care for. Watching them in action is both inspiring and heartwarming, as we see the fruits of their labor in the happy and healthy animals that thrive under their care. What sets "The Sanctity of Sanctuary" apart is its powerful message about the importance of compassion, empathy, and respect for all living beings. Whether it's a giant alligator or a scrappy kitten, every animal deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, and Sharon and Mary are shining examples of this ethos in action. Overall, Reel South is a must-watch series for anyone interested in the history, culture, and social issues of the American South. "The Sanctity of Sanctuary" is just one example of the powerful stories that this series has to offer, and it's truly a testament to the resilience and humanity of those who work tirelessly to care for animals in need.

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Seasons

6. Broken Wings

May 16, 2022

In picturesque Hot Springs, Arkansas, a one-winged American black vulture named Adonis captivates a small town. The bird is lovingly cared for by two devoted women: Jayne, a down-on-her-luck Arkansas waitress, and Ann, her 80-year-old British roommate. Broken Wings asks: How can a bird who devours the dead inspire the living?

5. Madame Pipi

May 9, 2022

Follow the lives of Haitian bathroom attendants working in Miami's hottest nightclubs. Often invisible, underpaid and underappreciated, their stories showcase a custodial world built on the backs of women of color, in a city known for debauchery, diversity and exceptionalism.

4. Florida Woman

May 9, 2022

When the media gets wind of Mary Thorn's alligator story, she's characterized as just another crazy Florida Man. Florida Woman peels back the curtain on the media's portrayal of a nurturing woman -- an ex-pro wrestler turned animal lover, who challenges the state in order to save her pet alligator. Mary and her gator Rambo reveal the humanity and complexity behind the viral headlines.

3. Quaranteened

April 25, 2022

Follow the lives of four sisters from a blended family in Durham, North Carolina, as they cope with the anxiety of their disrupted lives and stolen dreams with humor, self-reflection, and just enough mayhem to pass the time. Filmed by their filmmaker dad as the days begin to blur one into the other, these girls languish, suspended in time, like so many of us still.

2. Bury Me At Taylor Hollow

April 18, 2022

After spending 15 years working in the conventional funeral industry, a passionate mortician is paving uncharted territory to help create the first natural burial ground of its kind in Tennessee. Bury Me at Taylor Hollow recounts his personal journey from mortuary traditionalist to global-thinking environmentalist, as he seeks a better place for his community to lay to rest.

1. Little Satchmo

April 11, 2022

Little Satchmo is an intimate exploration of the iconic Louis Armstrong's life and legacy through his relationship with the daughter that the public never knew existed. Based on a revealing memoir written by Armstrong's silent daughter, the film seeks to correct a historical narrative relying on caricature for too long.

Description

One of the standout episodes of Reel South is "The Sanctity of Sanctuary," which tells the story of two women who have dedicated their lives to rescuing and caring for animals. Sharon Preston-Folta and Mary Thorn are two of the most passionate animal welfare advocates in the country, and their work has earned them a legion of fans and followers.

The episode begins with the story of Mary Thorn, an eccentric woman who shares her home with more than a dozen rescue animals, including a giant alligator named Rambo. Mary has always loved animals, and her desire to care for them stems from a deep sense of compassion and respect for all living creatures. Despite facing numerous legal and financial challenges over the years, Mary remains committed to her mission of providing sanctuary for animals in need.

Next, we meet Sharon Preston-Folta, a former Wall Street executive who gave up her high-powered career to follow her passion for animal welfare. Sharon founded the Suwannee Valley Humane Society in Florida, which has become a beacon of hope for animals in the region. Sharon's approach to animal rescue focuses on education and community outreach, encouraging people to become informed and engaged in animal welfare issues.

As we follow Sharon and Mary on their respective journeys, we get a firsthand look at the challenges they face as animal advocates in the South. From navigating legal obstacles and dealing with skeptical law enforcement officers to finding the resources to care for animals in need, there are many barriers that stand in the way of their work.

Despite these challenges, however, Sharon and Mary remain undaunted in their commitment to the animals they care for. Watching them in action is both inspiring and heartwarming, as we see the fruits of their labor in the happy and healthy animals that thrive under their care.

What sets "The Sanctity of Sanctuary" apart is its powerful message about the importance of compassion, empathy, and respect for all living beings. Whether it's a giant alligator or a scrappy kitten, every animal deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, and Sharon and Mary are shining examples of this ethos in action.

Overall, Reel South is a must-watch series for anyone interested in the history, culture, and social issues of the American South. "The Sanctity of Sanctuary" is just one example of the powerful stories that this series has to offer, and it's truly a testament to the resilience and humanity of those who work tirelessly to care for animals in need.

Reel South is a series that is currently running and has 7 seasons (6 episodes). The series first aired on April 11, 2022.

Where to Watch Reel South

Reel South is available for streaming on the PBS Documentaries website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Reel South on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Hoopla, Apple TV and PBS.