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Mountaintop Removal is a 2007 documentary film directed by Michael O'Connell. The film explores how mountaintop removal mining in West Virginia has affected local communities. Filmed over a two-year period, Mountain Top Removal features community advocates, such as Ed Wiley, Larry Gibson, Julia Bonds, Maria Gunnoe, and Mountain Justice Summer volunteers, in their efforts to oppose the destruction of Southern Appalachia's natural landscape. The film includes commentary from Jeff Goodell, author of Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America's Energy Future, geologists Dr. William Schlesinger and Dr. Peter Taft, and also Bill Raney, President of the West Virginia Coal Association. The film won the Reel Current Award at the 2008 Nashville Film Festival. Mountaintop Removal also received a Jury award at the 2008 Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Audience award at the 2008 Woods Hole Film Festival and was screened at The Lincoln Center on Earth Day April 22, 2008. The film is currently being distributed nationwide on PBS through NETA. The film's soundtrack includes music by Jim Lauderdale, Donna the Buffalo, John Specker and Sarah Hawker.
Original Release
2007
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Judy Bonds | Self (Coal River Mountain Watch) |
Larry Gibson | Self |
Maria Gunnoe | Self (Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition) |
Ed Wiley | Self |
William Mapother | Narrator |
Directors
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Judy Bonds | Self (Coal River Mountain Watch) |
Larry Gibson | Self |
Maria Gunnoe | Self (Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition) |
Ed Wiley | Self |
William Mapother | Narrator |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Augusta Brown Holland | Executive Producer |
Gill Holland | Executive Producer |
Maura O'Connell | Executive Producer |
Michael Cusack O'Connell | Producer |