When West Virginia broke away from Virginia in 1861 at the start of the American Civil War, its founders disagreed with the Confederacy or the state’s role in the war. They were, however, united in their interests around the extraction and exploitation of the state’s rich resources—predominantly coal and timber—which would prove to be the dominant theme throughout the state’s history.
Uniquely structured around the personal stories of West Virginians, the film draws upon their rich experiences and diverse perspectives to create an informal, oral “People’s History of West Virginia”. These individuals, from recovering opioid addicts to environmental activists, from U.S. Congressional candidate to town judge, from recovery center nurse to corporate environmental lawyer, from struggling local business owner to the love of their home state, all share a common thread of resilience in the face of challenges that threaten their survival and way of life.
Click here to watch the trailer.
Devil Put the Coal in the Ground arrives on VOD, Dtreamoing on July 9, 2024.
