Film No. 44. KING COAL. Revelation FF. Perth (2024). 13th July.

 

Film No. 44 (2024) July 13th.  11:30 AM  LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 1,  Leederville.

"For nearly a century we've been told, this place is nothing without a king." (Director Elaine narrates her preamble to provide understanding of the origins of this coal community she grew up in).

WINNER: Special Jury Prize (Elaine McMillion Sheldon) Seattle Int. FF.  NOMINEE: Next Innovator Award (Elaine McMillion Sheldon) Sundance FF.

What makes a good documentary? There are so many excellent answers to this question. KING COAL is one answer; it is a refreshing film full of beauty, revealing people of substance from this West Virginian coal town. The place where our film maker once lived.

Creator Elaine McMillion Sheldon won the very prestigious Innovation Award at Sundance (2023) for KING COAL. To watch this beautiful study is to understand the love and respect she has for her roots. Watching a recreation of her young self (we assume) we exist in this 82 minute document with a vibrant, spring-haired 11 year old girl (Lanie Marsh), living her uncomplicated life in Central Appalachia; a region owing its existence to coal. If this subject matter is not to your interest, but you love insightful documentaries, I suggest you catch KING COAL anyway. It documents ordinary people, interestingly!  

Sheldon (RECOVERY BOYS) has a knack of focusing her camera on people who live life with a purpose. She is a native of West Virginia and gives insight into her region - she knows the people. Her affiliation is obvious. KING COAL is a masterclass in depicting the human spirit.  10GUMS.