Rise Up! West Virginia shown in Ansted Feb. 28
Denise Giardina, B.J. Gudmundsson and Terry Lively at world premiere of “Rise Up! West Virginia”, South Charleston Museum, La Belle Theater, January 12
At 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 28 the Ansted Historical Preservation Council presented the documentary “Rise Up! West Virginia” at the VFW Hall on US Rt. 60 in Ansted. The screening was free and open to the public. “Rise Up! West Virginia” directed by B.J. Gudmundsson of Lewisburg, is a road trip to understanding the effects of mountaintop removal coal mining on the people and communities in southern West Virginia. Gudmundsson’s journey begins on Kayford Mountain where 8,000 acres of forestland has been completely destroyed. Here is BJ’s report on the event…
What a night! 50 people turned out for Rise Up WV in
Ansted, West Virginia. Two Fayette County Commissioners and the Mayor of Ansted attended. Larry Gibson was there with his fiance, Carol. Also Diane Bady of OVEC. T. Paige Dalporto sang his song “Heaven’s Kind” which is in the film. And Bob Kincaid of HeadOn Radio came a took lots of photos. WOAY TV - Oak Hill was there and did a story for the news.DVD’s went fast and we collected some contributions. What a blessing for it paid for the gas AND will cover expenses for the 2 trips to Kermit in Mingo County.
People seem to be really inspired by our WV folks in the movie. Hopefully their fear will be replaced by COURAGE and they will realize that they don’t have to back down in the face of the coal industry!
BJ
Read BJ’s own posting on the film event which includes a great letter from a high school student.
More about the film -
Alone on the mountain, the filmmaker asks questions that her film attempts to answer, such as “How did we get here? Why am I standing here alone? And where is West Virginia?” The film gives voice to people who describe how mountaintop mining affects them. Visits with retired coal miner Jim Foster in Bob White, Dustbusters Mary Miller and Pauline Canterberry in Sylvester, and grandfather Ed Wiley in Rock Creek, shed light on host of environmental and quality-of-life issues in the coalfields.
A native of Pocahontas County, B.J. Gudmundsson was named the 2005 West Virginia Filmmaker of the Year. She is touring the state showing her film and continues to document the stories of people living with mountaintop removal.
Jane Crist Ansted Historical Preservation Council, Inc. P.O. Box 602 Ansted, WV 25812 304-658-4910
More information on the film is available at www.patchworkfilms.com or by calling 304-645-4998. Ms. B.J. Gudmundsson Patchwork Films 106 Lamplighter Drive Lewisburg, WV 24901 304-645-4998 Rise Up! West Virginia - Stop Mountaintop Removal “I cannot do everything, but I can do something” Helen Keller
