Private Screening in WV, celebrating clean water

October 2007 - The folks in Williamson HAVE CLEAN WATER! This has been a major triumph for them. Tap water has been brought to the communities of Sprigg, Lick Creek, and Rawl. It is a major testament to the endurance and determination of the folks living in those parts, and to the state for finally stepping up, admitting that their wells are toxic, and bringing them city water.

I travelled to Williamson to show the film to a group of folks who are in it. Billy, Carmelita, Ernie and others. To be honest, I was nervous about their response. It's hard to predict what the subjects of a film are going to say, as they see the broader connections that the filmmaker has brought to the narrative. Their response took me by surprise...

From start to end, there were tears. Not because the film is sad, but because the story is so raw, and as Billy said, they saw so much hope in both the success of their community activism, and in the existing of the film itself - drawing national attention to their little corner of Appalachia. It was a humbling honor for me to share that with them, as well as the awesome spaghetti and meatballs!