'King Coal' Documentary Review, Heavy Is The Crown. A View From Appalachia: NYT Critic's Pick

[appalachiablue]

‘King Coal’ Review: Heavy Is the Crown. NYT Critic's Pick, By Robert Daniels, Aug. 10, 2023. - A coal miner’s daughter turned filmmaker profiles a region’s relationship with fossil fuel and presents a eulogy for a way of life.

In her personal documentary “King Coal,” the director Elaine McMillion Sheldon records the modern traditions — beauty pageants, local football games and modest festivals — that commemorate the once dominant natural resource that powered central Appalachia. Through archival footage and vivid narration, Sheldon notes how the discovery of the precious black rock led to an economic boom that inspired a vibrant middle class in the 20th century, born from labor struggle. She also observes how the poisonous fossil fuel destroys the environment.

The film is both a cumulative eulogy for a way of life and an examination of the climate crisis through witnessing the charred remains of these rural landscapes. “King Coal,” however, isn’t merely a remembrance. By following two girls, Lanie Marsh and Gabrielle Wilson, Sheldon also considers the future of this region, which, like many industrial corners of the United States, is still struggling to imagine its own economic possibilities.

- 'King Coal' Film Trailer. (2 mins).

Sheldon’s film doesn’t answer what lies ahead. Rather the poignantly poetic rhythms and wistful insights of “King Coal” are meant to provide closure. Healing in her documentary can take form in on-the-nose metaphors, such as the film staging a literal funeral for the anthropomorphized King Coal, or move through subtler means, like the sharing of oral history by locals in several Appalachian states.

Sheldon also locates the beauty, potentiality and sorrow of the region to its surrounding mountain ranges, from forested rolling hills to the mounds of coal on river barges. But in this melancholic, thoughtfully attuned cinematic essay, no mountain is more important than the people who are still confined to the claustrophobic tunnels of the past.

King Coal, Not rated. Running time: 1 hr. 20 mins. In theaters.-- https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/movies/king-coal-review.html

[RandySF]

1. I would gladly transition to nuclear

If it means no more coal.

[appalachiablue]

2. It's involved for sure and we'll see how things proceed. Coal has got to go, sooner than later.

[EYESORE 9001]

3. At one time I believed there was only one remaining use for coal

Metallurgical coke. The carbon can be obtained from biomass sources, however, so anthracite coal may become obsolete as well.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. My Mom grew up in WV. Much of the younger population has moved out of the area.

They had to consolidate schools across a wide area, so where kids once walked to schools (since torn down) they now take the bus for miles. The towns, already small, are just emptying out.

[appalachiablue]

6. Correct and going on for some time, very sad situation although there are

some small groups, many local, trying to help out. Handpuppet (past member?) did a good post in this group listing resources for action, some years ago. I'll find it and maybe repost here.

Given decades of job losses and economic decline, the pollution, poor services and health, the opioid epidemic and drugs, and many indifferent and corrupt politicians I can hardly blame people who leave Appalach, and other impoverished, environmentally damaged and neglected areas, if they can..The Appalachian Diaspora.

What can stave off more population loss I don't know. There won't be any more nationally directed programs to fight poverty and strengthen the area like the FDR and LBJ eras.

Those who stay have my respect and should be acknowledged. I've read there are some efforts to establish a few outdoor and sports venues, small scale in rural areas and I wish them the best.

How the remoteness and protective mountains of WVa and other places fare against climate crisis we shall see. That advantage and WVa's desirable location are being promoted of late I noticed.

[appalachiablue]

8. Good for mom. Strong Mountaineer ties for me of course, plus neighbor Mid-Atlantic states.

[cbabe]

5. Peabody hated this song. Sturgill Simpson and John Prine Perform "Paradise" (Mr. Peabody's Coal Trai

I’m not much for poetic eulogies when the destruction and loss goes so deep.

Peabody hated this song…

https://www.detroitnews.com › story › news › nation › 2015 › 09 › 22 › lawsuit-protest-song › 72650808

Lawsuit keeps protest song, despite company's objection

U.S. Magistrate Kelly Rankin in Cheyenne rejected a request by Peabody Energy Corp. to strike lyrics from singer-songwriter John Prine's "Paradise" from a federal lawsuit against the company....

Simpson and John Prine Perform "Paradise" (Mr. Peabody's Coal Train) | GRAMMYs

https://m.

[appalachiablue]

7. Thanks for this info, luv the song. Too bad Peabody, you earned it.