The setting of this film is 1920s-1950s. Charlie feels worn out by life and he struggles with leaving his current location and his family Ohio. It’s the depression and Charlie wants to return to his childhood Kentucky home. He misses the music and lifestyle that once defined him. First, he needs to pass his musical heritage on to his grandkids. The primary setting of this is in Kentucky and most of the footage was shot near Boone. Usually, the people living in the Appalacians were not moonshiners but proud and simple folk. They made do with limited resources in difficult times. Their distinctive music helps to define their people.
In the this time period, millions of Appalachians left their homes in the mountains. They migrated to urban Midwestern centers in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. It is the depression in Eastern Kentucky and Charlie’s parents, OZA and Vestal Abner face the difficult decision to leave the way of life they know. They are going to move to Ohio for employment and better opportunities. The automobile plants are paying $1.00 a day. They are running low on food and on money so there is no other decision but to leave. If crops don’t produce at the right times, the farmers and their families can go hungry. They can try to buy from other farmers but at times they can’t afford the prices. The local store in town has been sold to a new owner because the former owner can’t make a living. The larger stores that are new to the area are getting the customers. 5* (I really liked this movie)
97 min, Drama directed and written by Dale Farmer with Dan Gellert, Ma Crow, Asa Nelson, Hazel Pasley, Elizabeth Laprelle, Jonathan Bradshaw, Warren Waldron, Amy Cogan Clay, Judy Waldron, Trevor McKenzie, Mike Oberst, Chuch Blackburn, Ed Pilkington.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 42 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 64% with 58 critic scores 24% audience with 41 ratings, Roger Ebert 3* Sheila O’Malley, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 47 reviews.
Special Note: All the principal actors are traditional musicians. There is Smithsonian Folkways artist Elizabeth LaPrelle and acclaimed banjoist and fiddler Dan Gellert. They are the ones playing all of the music in this film. The traditional Appalachian musical genres of Old Time and Bluegrass. or 2019
Awards: Best Narrative Drama Feature Film, Longleaf Film Festival, 2019. Other awards received, Best Narrative Drama Feature film from UPIKE Film & Media Arts Festival 2019. Best Feature Film, Northeast Mountain Film Festival 2019. Best of Festival, Jukebox International Film Festival 2018. Best Picture-Runner Up, Jukebox International Film Festival 2018. Best Appalachian Film, Queen City Film Festival 2018. Best Drama Feature, Franklin International Film Festival 2018. Best Director (Dale Farmer), Endless Mountain Film Festival 2018. Best of Festival Feature Film, Endless Mountain Film Festival 2018. Best Actor (Asa Nelson), Endless Mountain Film Festival 2018.
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