A New York City-based filmmaking duo craft an intimate portrait of life in the Appalachian Mountains.
Set in small town Nickelsville VA, and centered around its titular road, the stories of six residents reveal a different way of life. Through their subjects’ perspectives, filmmakers Chelsea Brodsky and Andrew Moynehan explore mountain life, marked by self-sufficiency and tradition, with a heavy dose of music and religion. Positing Nickelsville in an almost timeless space, where longtime residents largely eschew the trappings of modern conveniences and concerns, the filmmakers document the history, arts, and culture of the region to create a universal portrait of community.
With just under a week left in their Indiegogo campaign, Brodsky and Moynehan are close to 70% of their $10,000 goal for post-production funding. To keep updated on the project, visit its Facebook page.
I typically respond well to portraiture, and Brodsky and Moynehan have located what seems to be a rich backdrop from which to draw. Rural and poor communities are too infrequently the subject of indepth exploration, so it’s heartening to see a project that privileges the experiences of so many Appalachians. This focus on character should capture the fullness of life in the region rather than reduce it down to some ethnographic consideration of “primitive” or “simple” living. The result, I hope, will be a complex and vibrant look at a region many know little about beyond stereotypes.
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