This might be an interesting program...

**sup-rbeast** · September 29th, 2008, 09:54 AM

From the Times News:

PBS documentary chronicles "?Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People'

Published 09/27/2008 By Kevin Castle

The facts are too towering to ignore. Before the seismic shift that changed the face of the Earth, the Appalachian Mountains were as tall as the Himalayans. Currently, their cracks and crevices are home to the largest population of salamander species in the world.

Those details only scratch the surface of many unearthed treasures that the creative minds behind a new PBS film found while documenting "Appalachia: A History of Mountains and People."?

The four-part series is scheduled to premiere in early 2009 on the network and will be part of a showing gala benefit for the Johnson City Arts Council on Oct. 19 at Reel to Reel Theaters.

Director Ross Spears, a native of Johnson City whose film works have been nominated for a number of accolades including an Academy Award, said the need for a comprehensive history of his home region on film was long overdue.

"There's an old quote that says more is known about Appalachia that is untrue than any other region of the country,"? he said.

"In one acre of cove forest in the Great Smoky Mountains there are more species of trees than in all of Europe. The lay of the land is a story in its own, but the people who have called this region home are unique to the social infrastructure. Both have had to overcome stereotypes and other things but have risen above it to thrive. The story is of a place unlike any other country, state or place on Earth."?

Producer Jamie Ross says in conducting interviews and sitting down for extensive research on the people and places of Appalachia, the geological highlights and their unique formations quickly became a focal point of one episode, earning its own place in the presentation.

"Ross (Spears) had an interest in doing something on the geology (of the 13-state area) which no one had really ever done before,"? said Ross.

"I don't think people realize how old these mountains are. They were once taller than the Himalayans, and they are some of the oldest mountains on the planet. That plays on the whole history of the region.

"There is a special connection between the land, the science and the people of Appalachia. There is such history there that this project quickly changed from a social-political history to a piece where it only made sense to make the mountains the main character."?

"What we believe we've done, and what the folks at PBS have told us, is we have made one of the first films ever on the environmental history on a particular region of the Earth,"? added the director.

In presentations narrated by actress Sissy Spacek, who has her own connection to the region with her Academy Award-winning performance of Kentucky native and country music star Loretta Lynn, the film looks at how the people molded by these mountains have developed ideals and made a living from its many environmental treasurers.

However, the duo note that the drive to unearth the resources that some scientists have classified as one of the most diverse biosystems ever has also had an influence on the social and economic characteristics of its inhabitants.

"Greed has played a big role in the region, but I don't think people from outside the region who came in to get the gold, timber and coal can totally be to blame. Some of us had to have the yearning to become rich, too,"? said Ross.

"One of the themes of the series is the search for the proper relationship between humans and the natural world,"? said Ross.

"The story is told of the Native Americans, the early settlers, the folks who created this rich concentration of farming, and then industrialists that came in and overused the resources and how things have been done to try and correct things."?

Ross says the media interpretation of "snake handlers and poor people"? as an atypical portrait has been construed and mishandled for centuries, and a television miniseries cannot repair that quickly.

But she does hope that the understanding of why people are set in their ways, how the region continues to thrive despite environmental and social problems, and how Appalachia still stands for a humble and strong people comes through.

"It's a welcoming landscape, but Appalachia does things on its on terms,"? said Ross.

"If you are from this region, you know what has been said or how you have been portrayed, and that is so far from the actual truth that we hope some will be surprised and educated at what we present."?

Spears is still amazed at how his forefathers managed to establish life and business among the vast, rugged wilderness that existed in centuries past.

But he also is grateful for the stance and perseverance they showed to help people continue to thrive in Appalachia.

"They devised ways of eking out a living and feeling comfortable and making a way in this landscape. Appalachia made a life for its people, and they have made sure they protect it and their way of life in many ways,"? said Spears.

Clips of the film, backgrounds on its creative team, and other details about the project can be found online at http://www.appalachiafilm.org.
Comments:

**plantsman** · September 29th, 2008, 07:43 PM

I read the article today. Agree that it may be a worthy documentary.

Thinking about other documentaries: Have you ever seen the one about Jessico White? Or the one about the school in David, KY?

**imported_elp6n** · September 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I read the article today. Agree that it may be a worthy documentary.

Thinking about other documentaries: Have you ever seen the one about Jessico White? Or the one about the school in David, KY?</div></div> What's the one about the school?

**plantsman** · September 29th, 2008, 08:12 PM

A school in David, KY that accepted students, tries to turn them around. Was on PBS last year. I thought it was a fair assessment of we Appalachians. A school trying to reach kids. I thought it was an unbiased story, and I'm no fan of PBS. May find additional info on PBS' site. The story basically documented the lives of some of their students, their home life, their struggles, victories, etc. I would like to see it again.

**duckmeat** · September 29th, 2008, 08:22 PM

**MikeJones** · September 29th, 2008, 08:28 PM

Anybody seen american hollow or something like that?

I hope this film is legit and doenst start out with folks fightin for presents at the santa train

**plantsman** · September 29th, 2008, 08:32 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: duckmeat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uc3SEBA-9nU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uc3SEBA-9nU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

lol at jesco white... </div></div>

Hilarious ain't it?

**Ironlung** · September 29th, 2008, 08:33 PM

The best part is this first minute.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eRfG3b581o&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eRfG3b581o&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

**1inStripes** · September 29th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Id like to see an updated story on Jesco.

**duckmeat** · September 29th, 2008, 10:10 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ironlung</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The best part is this first minute.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eRfG3b581o&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_eRfG3b581o&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> </div></div>

lol also a good intro to a song by atomic bitchwax