Appalachian Documentary

We were back in the photo lab at Shima 150 this 8am.
Our objective - watch a couple of documentary films about the lives in Appalachia.

The first film was by Elizabeth Barret; The title - Stranger With A Camera. It explores the fatal 1967 conflict between a documentary filmmaker and his unintended subject.



Hugh O'Connor was a Canadian filmmaker who traveled to eastern Kentucky to document the poverty stricken community of Appalachia. In the process of filming he unluckily crossed paths with Hobart Ison, a property owner who strongly felt that his boundaries were being invaded by outsiders. A rushed confrontation left O'Connor dead and Ison in the center of a controversy with lots of questions.

The second film was another Appalachian documentary by Shelby Lee Adams. This film presented "a study on the true meaning of pictures."

Adams followed the lives of a few families in Appalachia and exposed their lives on film.



Both films disturbed me. The harsh reality of the stark living conditions in Kentucky's coal mining communities; and the people, their lifestyles and their living situations all made me realize how lucky I am. By no means am I saying that I am better than the subjects of these documentaries, but by comparison of living standards, I feel very blessed.

I know we were only supposed to watch the films and observe the photographic quality of the prints, but it was difficult to overlook other presented facts. The documentary covered everything that went on behind the print itself. The still pictures were infused with supporting evidences caught on audio and video format. Hearing the actors speak (often inaudibly because of a strong accent) and watching them in their surroundings, all worked to show how poverty, lack of decent education and raw survival instincts mix up a potent stew called an Appalachian Hillbilly. But as Mary Ellen Clark said on the film,"even if they are poor, that doesn't mean they are stupid" - proves all too well how these people survive and persevere in a harsh environment.

I had to take some time to ponder things after watching these films and that took up my entire morning!

And then we viewed Tony's work! - Good Job Tony!