WV Press Videos

Appalachian stories for film sought in Mingo

 

Williamson Daily News submitted photo Shane Simmons is pictured interviewing Mitchell Phillips from Waynesville, North Carolina. Simmons and fellow filmmaker Jason Barton have interviewed people from several states for their documentary, “Appalachia Project.” Now they are looking for interviewees in the Mingo County area who are age 80 and older, and have a unique story to tell.
Williamson Daily News submitted photo
Shane Simmons is pictured interviewing Mitchell Phillips from Waynesville, North Carolina. Simmons and fellow filmmaker Jason Barton have interviewed people from several states for their documentary, “Appalachia Project.” Now they are looking for interviewees in the Mingo County area who are age 80 and older, and have a unique story to tell.

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. – Filmmakers Shane Simmons and Jason Barton have teamed up to create a documentary showcasing a more positive side of Appalachia.
Simmons spoke with the Daily News on Thursday regarding the project, which aims to give the world a more positive view of Appalachia by relying on interviews with locals who know from experience what being an Appalachian native is like.
“Our biggest goal is to fight the stereotypes of people who like the simple lifestyle here in the Appalachia area and to respond to the idea that people in our area are simple and ignorant, when this is a lifestyle choice that we enjoy,” Simmons said. “We will be doing a series of documentaries about senior citizens in Appalachia, mostly age 80 and up, and interviewing them about their experiences.”
Simmons said he is looking for people specifically in the Mingo County area who are older and have a story to tell.
“We want to know what it was like for them growing up and how much things have changed, the culture and background of the area they live in and stories from their lives. It’s a great opportunity for the good storytellers out there to be heard, and it is also a great opportunity for the families because they receive a taped copy of the interview.”
Simmons, who has spent a lot of time in West Virginia (holding a job in Matewan for a period of time), says he is familiar with the area and wants to portray Mingo County in a positive light.
“Mingo County is part of the heart of Appalachia. People here have stories that need to be told. We want to give these wonderful storytellers the chance to share their past with us.”
Simmons said the way Appalachia has been portrayed in the media bothers him and he wants to make a change.
“We all see the stereotypical stuff about poverty, drug addiction, lack of education and other negative things about our area in the media,” Simmons said. “Well, anyone who lives here knows that is not the whole picture. There are other things going on, and that portrayal of our area doesn’t tell the whole story. The negative slant to our people is offensive, and we just want to tell the whole story.”
Simmons said he feels fortunate that people have felt comfortable opening up to him and sharing their stories.

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

And get our latest content in your inbox

Invalid email address