Harlan County, USA (1976) - John Sayles Interview

[jays2474]

I would love to see another documentary done on these same people on what they are doing now.Like if some are still alive interview them.

[jays2474]

Im a right wing conservative.Not a republican.People on my political side of the isle have to relize is until industrialist start to practice good business ethics the far left will be out here.We need some regulation to protect the working class.We can have capitalism with some regulation.Unfortunately as a union man the majority of my life I have witnessed the union become what the were supposed to be fighting against,corrupt big business.Democrat liberals are not the same today as back then.

[Freakster1970]

I can relate to the film coming from a mining area in Scotland. I noticed a lot of scots names in the documentary and the bluegrass music was also brought there from Scotland / Ireland. Does anyone know if the soundtrack is available? I love people like Darrell Scott and Tim O'brien.

[BetteDavisEyz]

@Freakster1970 Hiya, thanks for watching, The whole area definitely owes it's culture and music to the Scots/Irish emigrants, the farm in our family was from our ancestors who fought in the revolution, names like Fitzpatrick, and my dad was a Calhoun. I googled for a soundtrack, but didn't locate one, maybe you can , or find these artists individually...good luck....O'er da pond there in Bonnie Scotland :D

[jlfittro]

Redneck came from the red kerchiefs worn by the Blair Mountain miners. It's a badge of honor, or was until taken over by the capitalists. Timbuctu anyone? Why bother responding to Will.......whatever. You'll never change his mind. Move on over him!!

[kentucky9000]

@jlfittro O they wore red ones around there necks in the Civil war to keep from shooting one another. in the woods in gorllia fighting

[jlfittro]

Redneck came from the red kerchiefs worn by the Blair Mountain miners. It's a badge of honor, or was until taken over by the capitalists.  Timbuctu anyone? Why bother responding to Will.......whatever. You'll never change his mind. Move on over him!!

[ptboat67]

The film was brilliant and showed not only the actual living conditions in a mining (mill villages were very similar) town, but gave insight into the daily lives of people setting out to get what they perceived as their due from a behemoth of an employer. I came away from this film feeling that I knew more about Appalachia, it's people, and their resolve. I learned to appreciate them as individuals.

[ptboat67]

Living in Georgia, our mill villages are now represented as a benevolence bestowed on workers by the owner. While this may have been an intention, it is certainly not indicative of the lives led within their confines. I'm grateful that the production team had the courage to insert themselves into the lives of these Harlan County residents to give us an accurate portrayal of what is now history.

[ptboat67]

It's sad, to me, that any chance good discussion on these sights always ends in (usually homophobic) ad hominems.

[iamjackwalker]

Bettedaviseyz:

My pleasure.

Whats really cute about Willie will there is that he actually never responds to what people say. He just argues, no debate no logic ....just grrrrrrrrrrrr, lets fight.

Yet you can hear his massive ego telling his id that everything he says is right and everyone else is wrong. What is really scary is that if has children they are learning the same traits. Imagine being his poor wife.

Fight the good fight BetteDavis.

PS-that's one of my fav songs :)

[browningbt99]

How in the world can people treat other people so bad! These are woman and children and they suffer the most. You and your ignorant comments, just go on hating.

[WillBackbone]

These redneck miners were nothing but White trash and all they do is run around calling others scabs. Inbred hicks and rednecks all of them, I am a small business owner and I would never let a damn union in my door. I'd cross any picket line just to show those necks I would and I could those simpletons.

[iamjackwalker]

And I bet you'd be up there with your MMA boys beating on women and preaching how the Unions are communist and socialist and what not... And I'm sure you provide health and dental for your boys. And lets not forget how integral MMA is to US industry and GDP output versus the Coal, and Mineral mines that are actually providing a service and not Gladiator Style entertainment. You, sir are closer to Caligula than Caesar...Nothing of substance and full of hot air. Keep living in your bubble.

[WillBackbone]

No we respect women, we have women that train here and they do practice Jiu Jitsu with Us. They do not spar boxing. You are showing what a simpleton you are with your ASSumptions. I bet you wouldn't step in our gym and show that disrespect without someone like me challenging you to a free albeit painful MMA lesson. You are the one who is likely a failure in life and is jealous of successful people as you can't understand why we do so well and you so poorly? You seem to be hung up on Gay people?

[iamjackwalker]

Gay people? Because of the Caligula reference? No sir, that was a reference to substance vs style. Have you ever worked in a Mine or a Major Manufacturing plant? Or is watching, semi-nude guys wrestle all you do? And I would have no problem stepping in the ring with any MMA fighter. This isn't about who is strong or not ,it is about who is right and who is wrong. I am doing very well for myself, thanks for asking. And finally, "simpleton"? Really. Look at your sentence structure. Pathetic.

[WillBackbone]

Your intellect pales in comparison to mine.You are not my equal in any form. You wouldn't last 2 minutes in a ring with one of my White belts.I can be found 6 days a week at Legends Gym in Hollywood if you'd like to"discuss" this man to man?Otherwise consider yourself schooled chump.Why would I want to work a peon type job like those? I bet I earned more last month than you did in all of the past year.I'm done putting you in your place so if you want some more you have been told where to find me

[iamjackwalker]

I was wondering if you would "throw down" in response to that last post and I was right. Your anger and complete impotence in being able to respond to anything I said proves one point and one point only... back a guy with nothing to say into a corner and you can bet he'll lash out. Your first line sounds like something from Lex Luther. And you just called the builders of our nation, well mine anyway, "peons". I bet you got your start up money from a relative. Go do some community service.

[BetteDavisEyz]

iamjackwalker, my comment a week ago was in response to Mr. Will"nobackbone" I wanted to thank you for taking on that bigot , I didn't when he first commented knowing it'd be a pissing contest with a fool....karma will dish out his just rewards, he may be a sweat shop employess next time around? Maybe a coal miner in the south hehe

[iamjackwalker]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I'm from the South. you got an English lesson from a "hick" think about that the next time you're practicing and Arm Bar.

[iamjackwalker]

Is that you with the wavy haircut? Posing for your picture at Legends? That is cute. You know... I'm straight but, I tell you what Mr. MMA you might have the stuff to take me to the mat. Can you growl at me. Grrr. I mean really, you can't tell me you didn't "experiment" in college. Staring at your room mate as he towels off? Hoping for a glimpse, he catches your eye and it's on. Greco-Roman wrestling with out the lube. Ha! I take it all back sweetie you live your life to the fullest! Go prop 8!

[WillBackbone]

Coward

[BetteDavisEyz]

I'd like to know what comment you removed in reply to my post?...who's the coward here? When you first posted your comment full of ignorance and hate, I let it go, as I knew I'd just get into a pissing contest with a closed minded full of himself ego maniac....Words used, inbred, white trash and redneck.....no, they are human beings on this planet and you are no better than anyone! May love and light surround your hateful spirit.

[billysscreeningroom]

Great post - thanks!

[BetteDavisEyz]

Hey Billy , I'm going to feature this on my page again, it's important, a regional struggle almost 40 years ago, we now have a global struggle against Corp. greed...

Thanks for the comment, and you're welcome!

[BetteDavisEyz]

I highly suggest watching Harlan County USA. My grandfather I was raised by was a coal miner near this area, but I never experienced these conditions. Dirt roads, no plumbing, wages lower than the standard living condition rates, abused mentally and physically by a large monopolistic corporation, and a lack of a full education are all factors that led to the strike of the minors in Harlan County.

[RationalEmotive]

The documentary seem to be in the Werner Herzog league, definitely have to check it out.

Thanks for sharing.

[BetteDavisEyz]

You are very welcome, it is a must see! Very moving indeed :)

Thanks for the comment

Peace!

[BetteDavisEyz]

I have the original academy award winning documentary by Barbara Kopple and in the ending credits they were not mentioned, so I believe they are fictitious names for the real. I did not know about the movie and I love Holly Hunter so thanks for having me look for the answer to your question :)

[cknightfan]

Do you know if Ruby and Silas Kincaid are real people (Harlan County War on Showtime)?

[BetteDavisEyz]

Sorry I didn't reply 6 months ago! But no, those characters are fictitious, but based on the real people in this struggle.

[11plusfail]

Great post, thanks!