King Coal

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Geoffrey G King Coal is a lyrical, emotional and gorgeous movie about how the legacy of coal mining persists in West Virginia and the Appalachians. The videography is breathtaking. The narration, by Elaine McMillion, is warm, poignant and real -- she grew up in the territory she covers. The breath artist adds a dimension to the sound that is unique. The movie combines wide views with close-ups of people whose every-day lives remind of what once was. You leave the movie thinking you've just met a lost relative. A must see. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review John C A visually stunning consideration of the all-pervasive role of the coal industry in the lives of normal Appalachian people. It is a fair and balanced account, depicting the damage done to the environment, yes, but also how coal jobs have provided for families and communities, showing the pride of those communities in their underground work. Two delightful young girls provide an artistic thread through the film, as we see the world of coal through their eyes. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/23 Full Review Nancy B This is a complex topic and Elaine McMillion Sheldon tackled it beautifully. She told the story from many perspectives to capture the complicated issues surrounding the coal industry. The cinematography is superb. The story has stuck with me for months as I keep contemplating the issues. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/13/23 Full Review Mike C So incredibly well done, so unobtrusive, feels like a narrative … the pacing, editing, storytelling is on par with Hoop Dreams. The narration, native connections, musical score and imagery are brilliant. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Reverend P This is a pro coal documentary. This film approaches a deep and meaningful subject with an air of whimsy. The guise of objectivity is what's being sold here. In truth, this film reinforces the common narrative of the existence of the coal industry as a natural presence and the innate powerlessness of the people to do anything about it. To suggest that the gravity of the violence and oppression forced upon this region for over a century at the hands of Big Coal as worth omitting in pursuit of an objective account is insulting. It is stories like this that further prolong the attainment of truth, justice, and healing for these communities. This is subversive propaganda that softens the hard edges of the harsh realities that reside within these stories, dressed up with stunning cinematography and an immersive soundscape. Overall I recommend watching it, with the prerequisites of Harlan County, USA and Blood on the Mountain. We cannot imagine a brighter future without knowing and accepting the past, so that we can move forward into freedom from the chains of industry and government. The art that emerges from this culture is born of pain and the two cannot be separated. Darkness and light. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/05/23 Full Review Brian C It's an eerie, visually beautiful film. The narration, by the director herself, serves as a compass from beginning to end. The two female protagonists—which it feels like I stretch to label them as—make you consider seeing this world through a perspective that would otherwise seem foreign to us. The music is percussive, at times haunting—though the film is never truly gloomy. It's a re-imagining of a subject Appalachians know too well by a woman who is of and has dedicated her art to this place. Because of that, she is able to keep the focus on the human beings touched by coal than on picking a side in the political and cultural tug-of-war. I loved it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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