Films have become an important part of programming at KHS since March 2010. Since that time we have screened eight films, which have covered topics from stereotyping the "hillbilly image" to learning more about the "Narco" farm on Leestown Road in Fayette county to the terrible tragedy of the Prestonsburg school bus crash in the 1950's. All of these films have given us an opportunity to explore Kentucky's culture and history that may not be found in other mediums. We have also been fortunate to host a few directors for our screenings and this has given our audience an opportunity to talk with the filmmakers firsthand about their knowledge on the topic and their experience making the films.
This March 17 will begin the spring film series at KHS and will continue along the lines of the programming offered in 2010. Again, we will be featuring independent films made by Kentuckians and about Kentucky topics. We are also fortunate that we will have multiple directors on hand for the March and April films, a tradition we hope to continue throughout 2011. Thanks to everyone for their support of this new program and we look forward to a great year of movie watching.
Our first set of screenings will be a group of short films by the youth filmmaking crew of the Appalachian Media Institute (AMI). Many of these films address social and cultural issues that directly connect with Kentucky culture, from the stereotypes that go along with the eastern Kentucky accent to families coping with loved ones serving in the military overseas. Provocative, insightful, and sometimes humorous these films are told from the perspective of the young people making them. In addition to the films being shown, the directors will be in attendance and will participate in an informal question and answer session after the screenings.
Above image from "Back Home," courtesy AMI.
AMI has been training youth in media literacy since 1988 and they help young people explore how media production skills can be used to ask, and begin to answer, critical questions of themselves and their communities.
In April, KHS will be screening another original documentary, this one on the life and times of former major league baseball player Steve Hamilton. Titled "The Father, The Pitcher, The Hero" this film, made by several students from Morehead State University, chronicles the late baseball players life, pitching career, and involvement with the Major League Baseball's Players Association.
Our third film, "To Save the Land and People" is a history of the early efforts to stop strip mining in Kentucky. The documentary, directed by Anne Lewis, also discusses the impact that coal mining has on
Above image, screen shot from "To Save the Land and People," courtesy Appalshop, Inc.
the environment and the community in which it is found. "To Save the Land and People" is an Appalshop film and more information can be learned from their website, www.appalshop.org.
All films are free with admission to the Kentucky Historical Society campus and include film screening, entrance to Thomas D. Clark Center exhibitions, as well as free popcorn and soda. For more information about the film series contact Mike Deetsch at mike.deetsch@ky.gov or 502-564-1792.
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