Aug. 23, 2006
 
Patchwork Films Releases Mountaintop Removal DVD
 
By HNN Staff

 
Lewisburg, WV (HNN) – Patchwork Films announces the release of a three-film DVD entitled “The Mountain Mourning Collection.” This DVD is aimed at bringing immediate focus to the effect mountaintop removal coal mining has on the land and its people. The package includes three new films by West Virginia Filmmaker of the Year, B.J. Gudmundsson of Lewisburg. Christians for the Mountains commissioned Gudmundsson to produce the Collection.
 
The goal of “The Mountain Mourning Collection” release is lofty - to inspire everyone, not just environmental activists, to sign on to a massive effort to help reduce our dependency on coal-generated power. It aims to convince government leaders that mountaintop removal mining must be stopped now.
 
Two of the films profile nationally known activists in West Virginia who have seen their land, communities and families destroyed by surrounding and encroaching strip mining projects. “Look What They’ve Done – Maria’s Back Yard” follows Maria Gunnoe, of Bob White, WV, on a journey across her ancestral land in Boone County. “Look What They’ve Done” is similar to Gunnoe’s story as profiled in the July 2006 issue of Oprah Magazine. Larry Gibson’s story is “Keeper of the Mountains.” Gibson’s mountaintop home place on Kayford Mountain, 35 miles from Charleston, has been reduced to a fifty-acre island in the sky. He now lives surrounded by thousands of acres of what he calls moonscape.
 
The title film, “Mountain Mourning,” is a departure from many anti-mountaintop removal movies’ theme of highlighting destruction. The filmmaker uses stunning photography and powerful narration written by Dave Cooper to create a sense of urgency that not only approaches the subject by focusing on the beauty and wonder of our mountains, but also provides spiritual and moral imperative for their protection. “Mountain Mourning” carries a message from Christians for the Mountains, a religious eco-justice group with West Virginia roots. The majestic mountain scenes in the movie are underscored with biblical scripture supporting the preservation message, and bible passages are also present in some of the more unpleasant footage of MTR sites, as a testament to why removing mountains must be stopped.
 
Allen Johnson, of Dunmore, in Pocahontas County, is a co-founder of the non-profit organization, Christians for the Mountains. Johnson was profiled in Newsweek magazine for his environmental activism.
 
“Christians for the Mountains hopes “The Mountain Mourning Collection” will be engaging enough for all people of conscience to fall in love again with the mountains,” Johnson said. “It is a tragic love story that can have a happy ending if enough people get the message.”
 
In each of the three films Gudmundsson enforces the bond between people and the land by using the traditional songs of Appalachian musicians such as Elaine Purkey, Tonya Adkins, Dwight Diller and Greg Treadway. Southwings, The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Appalachian Voices, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, Coal River Mountain Watch and photographer, J. Henry Fair, also contributed to the completion of the project.
 
“When I saw this destruction up close I was devastated” says Gudmundsson. “Then, when I learned about the rapid pace of mountaintop removal’s advance toward places like Charleston and Lewisburg, I knew I had to make this film now and do everything to show it to as many people as possible, as soon as possible.”
 
“That is where distribution and screening of the film will be helpful,” says Allen Johnson. “Environmental groups, eco-religious groups, church communities and individuals are being asked to obtain a copy of this film and present it to their members, families, friends and the general public.
 
People will see the movie and become motivated to obtain their own copy and show it to their friends, family and neighbors. Their friends will follow suit.”
 
B. J. Gudmundsson agrees. “Eventually the splendor of our mountains will be in the hearts and minds of people everywhere and, maybe, Larry’s island in the sky and Maria’s backyard will be spared further destruction and other mountains slated for destruction will be saved forever by caring people.”
 
Initial funding for the film project was provided by the Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation and the World Stewardship Institute. Bob Marshall of Kenna, WV, is treasurer and co-founder of Christians for the Mountains. “All proceeds from the sale of this DVD will support distribution throughout the country,” Marshall said.
 
To learn more about the collection and to order your copy of the DVD, visit the Patchwork Films website at www.patchworkfilms.com, or call (304) 645-4998.
 
For information on Christians for the Mountains contact Allen Johnson at 304-799-4137 or visit their website at http://www.christiansforthemountains.org/