Matthias Lawetzky (k)

The southern Appalachians in the states of West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee are among the poorest regions in North America. Life is rough and isolated. This is ‘Trump country’.

Until the beginning of the last century it was an economically important coal mining area of the USA. When the companies withdrew, however, they left behind not only a land harmed by opencast mining, but also unemployment and vacancies.

Banjo, fiddle and stand up bass – making music together not only means an important cohesion, but also refuge and tradition. The melodies and stories about murder, love and faith have pulsated for generations in this sparsely populated country.

The film focuses on the ‘white trash’ culture in the Appalachians, far away from the American dream.

Documentary film. Winner of the Hessischen Hochschulfilmpreis 2018.