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Appalachian State’s Sustainability Film Series to Host Screening of “Blood on the Mountain” Tonight

On February 21, The Sustainability Film Series will host a screening of “Blood on the Mountain”, a documentary investigating the economic and environmental injustices that have resulted from industrial control in West Virginia. Former coal miner Nick Mullins, who is featured in the film will be the one to present “Blood On The Mountain” and share his story. This promises to be an incredible, eye-opening opportunity and leave the viewer looking at the place they call home a little differently.

What: “Blood on the Mountain”

When: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)  on Thursday, February 21, 2017.

Where: I.G. Greer Theater

“Blood on the Mountain” takes a fearless look at the 150-year history of the coal industry.  It is a story of human struggles endured at the mercy of unregulated industries and corrupt politicians. The injustices to the workers, environment and communities in the coalfields of Appalachia are the “canary in a coal mine” illustrating to all Americans what happens when corporations are allowed absolute control to inflict atrocities and politicians abdicate responsibility for those they are elected to protect.

The documentary is a dramatically powerful window for the American public into the many social and economic issues that our nation is facing. The film is coming at a moment when union membership in this country is at an all-time low with less than 11% of American workers represented.  As fast food workers and Walmart employees around the country are organizing in demand of better benefits, “Blood on the Mountain” serves as a potent reminder that worker’s rights must be continually fought for and that the struggle is never over.

“Blood On The Mountain” has screened at festivals and theaters across the nation and has been positively reviewed by Roger Ebert, who wrote: “With an impressive historical scope, ‘Blood on the Mountain’ is a documentary with information that rhymes.”

Presenter, Nick Mullins, is a 9th generation Appalachian and was the 5th generation of his family to work in the underground coal mines of Southwestern Virginia to support his family. Following his time working in the mines, Nick attended Berea College where he received a B.A. in communications Magna Cum Laude. His writing and commentary have been featured in a variety of publications including Yes! Magazine, Audubon MagazineThe Appalachian Voice, Still: The JournalThe HillGrist, The Daily Beast, MIT’s Co-Lab Radio, and in the documentary film Blood on the Mountain (2016).

The Sustainability Film Series is sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and Department of Geology at Appalachian State University.  The Center for Appalachian Studies and University Documentary Film Services are co-sponsors of this event.

For more information contact Tom Hansell (hansellts@appstate.edu) or Brian Zimmer (zimmerbw@appstate.edu).