Between Two Hills Trailer

Between Two Hills - The Story of Pocahontas, Virginia
https://www.createspace.com/263142

We donate 1/2 of all profits from sale of DVD to benefit Historic Pocahontas Inc.

The film takes the viewer on a journey back to the beginning of coal mining in the Appalachians and the beginning of a new culture of people. It follows the loss of the primary employer in 1955 and continues through the struggles and celebrations of modern day. A Hundred Years Ago, Pocahontas was a thriving and jubilant town, complete with a lavish opera house. The streets bustled. The town sprung to life on the heel of the coal boom, fueled by men who spent their days in the darkness of the mines some earning just seven cents per day, much of which was paid in scrip only redeemable at the Company Store.

Today, if you were to find yourself in the forgotten and dilapidated downtown of Pocahontas, you might feel like you were on the set of a movie, a film set in a ghost town long, long ago. You would stare up at once magnificent buildings that had just given up and collapsed right on top of themselves. And after spending some time here, talking to locals who would instantly recognize you as a tourist, eager to greet you, you would realize this little, crumbling town is amazing. According to the last census taken in 2000, Pocahontas is home to four hundred and forty one residents. A Virginia newspaper ran a story in June of '08 announcing the closing of Pocahontas' sole school. They closed the doors a year shy of its 100th anniversary and told the story in just five brief sentences.

The documentary began in part due to the overwhelming interest in a YouTube video produced by the same director in 2007. The video garnered nearly 100,000 views on the internet and has prompted hundreds of comments about the coal industry, the connection people have with the town and the common personal experiences people share about the area.

Through oral histories, the film profiles the history and culture of the people. It features historic landmarks, such as the 70 year old exhibition mine, the 1883 company store, the 125 year old cemetery, the 1895 Opera House and various churches and buildings throughout town. In addition to the interviews of area residents, there are interviews with college professors, a local congressman, and local leaders. Special thanks to musicians, Mayhem String Band and Jeff Williams who have lent their work to the production. The documentary also includes an original song written for the project by Betsy Ulmer, a Nashville song writer.

"Our hope is that people come away from watching and feel like we did when we first visited Pocahontas. The buildings are incredible, the history is fantastic, but neither compare to the real hidden treasures of the area, the stories of the people." Dan McCoig

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• pocahontas
• coal
• history
• mining
• documentary
• trailer

[amyjoflick]

WOW - that made me cry. You have done such an awesome job. Thank you so much Dan.

[dmccoig]

You did :)

[evilborg]

That's a shame. I was looking for a birthday present for my sister and thought of your stuff.

You never said if the town has seen the dvd yet ?

[dmccoig]

Hey thanks Scott, sorry I am way behind in getting back to you. I took down my link for paintings and art. I just lost interest I suppose.

[evilborg]

Has the town seen the DVD yet ?

Hey you do paintings and I remember you posted a link I think to buy them. Could I get that link again ?

[dmccoig]

Thanks Scott, I always give you credit for the DVD department here at DT. It would not exist without your kind urgings. We really are glad you like it, I know that you don't heap praises unwarranted so it is extra nice. Thanks (sorry for slow response, I have been running around like a chicken for weeks)

[evilborg]

Got my DVD from you today and watched it...

This one by far was the best DVD and documentary you have compiled so far. Very well edited and produced. The town of Pocahontas should be very pleased and happy with this DVD.

I am glad I pushed you to make these DVD's, even though I didn't get credit for that LOL.

If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

Scott Grayban

[dmccoig]

Thats sounds cool Catherine, I will have to check it out

[dmccoig]

Thanks Dom, very well said

[dmccoig]

You are to kind Scott. The dvd proofs come in this week, hopefully they can be available by 26th as promised.