West Virginians Rose Up for new coal mine movie
B.J. Gudmundsson is pumped
More than 150 peopleattended the world premiere of B.J. Gudmundsson’s new film at the South Charleston Museum’s La Belle Theater on the effects of coal mining on people in West Virginia, “Rise Up! West Virginia.” This was the largest crowd at the WV Film Series showing at The South Charleston Museum in a long time, even more than those who came to see Christopher Janus in November 2007. In fact, it might have been one of the five largest audiences ever at the WV Film Series that began in July 2004 with Judy Miller’s “The Captives.”
Co-sponsors OVEC and Christians for the Mountains, as well the filmmaker, went all out to fight the media boycott using e-mails, e-mail alerts, and person-to-person conversation. Newspapers all over the state refused to write stories about the film, knowing where their ad revenues come from. Board members of the SCM, OVEC and Christians for the Mountains were all pleased with the turn out.
Chuck Taylor, Bill Shawver, Phyllis Shawver, Lura Watkins selling tickets to Saturday’s world premiere
The SCMF board had to rely on Chuck Taylor to set up for the musicians and even sell tickets because the director of the Museum resigned in December and this was the first program since that event. Finally Bill Breese showed up with the cash box and things were pretty well after that. Thanks to Lura Watkins and Phyllis Shawver with her husband manned the tickets/refreshments stand.
Denise Giardina, B.J. Gudmudsson, Terry Lively
There were several well-known people in the audience most notably Denise Giardina and Ron Sole as well as Vivian Stockman from OVEC and Allan Johnson and Mary Ellen O’Farrell, co-founders of Christians for the Mountains. Terry Lively, the president of the WV Filmmakers Guild, also attended.
T. Paige Dalporto and Jim Dubee- his music is used in the film
Jim Savarino sings
Agust Gudmundsson sings
89-year old Atherine Spurline from Quarrier, WVThe program started about 6:45 PM with music by T. Paige Dalporto followed by Jim Savarino and Agust Gudmundsson. Immediately before the film finally started a senior lady who sings in the film for Kathy Mattea took to the stage and sang her song for the entire audience who gave her a standing ovation.
Those attending the premier who appeared in the film were: Mary Miller, Pauline Canterberry, Larry Gibson, Julian Martin, Janice Nease, and Robert Gates. 89-year old Atherine Spurline from Quarrier, WV, who sings in the film also attended and entertained the crowd.It was a night to remember - and possibly along with the Christopher Janus Night - the most important WV film night in many years. Congrats to B.J. for making such a great personal film and everyone who drove miles to attend the world premiere. I for one will never forget it. It ranks up there with the world premiere of “Black Diamonds” by Catherine Pancake, surpassing it with the added music program.Janice Nease, Executive Director of Coal River Mountain Watch, said “this is the first movie that shows the true face of our people living in the shadow of the coal industry.”Filmmaker, B.J. Gudmundsson, will now take the movie around the state. The goal is to show the film in every community in West Virginia. “I really believe that we are witnessing a courageous step by our people. They are going to RISE UP against the victimization that has plagued our state for over a century. They are going to say enough is enough!”I had to bring greetings to the audience from Ken Hechler who is still vacationing in Florida to his many friends in the audience. Footage of him at a recent anti-MTR event was included in the film. Unfortunately, also, George Daugherty couldn’t make it.You can see Tim Rock’s WCHS - TV story about the event here - http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/shows/10sat.shtml#21
Dinner with BJ, August, Jim, Bernice Basham, SCM member, and friend
Co-founders of Christians for the Mountains Allen Johnson and Mary-Ellen O’Farrell
