Film Review of “Moving Mountains” by Steve Fesenmaier, Charleston Gazette film reviewer: “Moving Mountains”, based on Penny Loeb’s 2007 award-winning book by the same name, is a masterpiece of contemporary activist cinema. The acting, music, cinematography and everything else related to the film is as good as the recent hit film, “Winter’s Bone,” that helped propel Jennifer Lawrence to fame (“The Hunger Games,” “Silver Lining Playbook.”) I completely enjoyed the film and was happy to see what great acting the film presents. It may be the best independent feature ever made in our state. Well-known Hollywood actress Theresa Russell (“Spiderman 3” and many other Hollywood films) plays the role of Trish Bragg, a lady who refused to take “no” as an answer both from state bureaucrats and the coal companies that totally dominate the economy of Mingo County and southern West Virginia. She and a group of other ladies fight relentlessly to get their water back. This is a common problem in the area, not just Mingo County. I have to congratulate my friend T. Paige Dalporto for his fine low key acting, giving the women especially his movie wife,Theresa Russell, the quiet support she needs to show her great will to tackle the almighty coal industry. Greg Harpold, another well-known local actor, does a great job playing a leader of the coal miners who side with the coal companies in this “war on coal.” Congrats to Penny and everyone who worked on this great film. I hope that PBS or some other network will eventually show the film so that millions of people can see it. “Moving Mountains”was filmed in Mingo County, Charleston, Shepherdstown and Martinsburg. “Moving Mountains” was a finalist for Best Christian Feature at Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival, where Theresa Russell was nominated for Best Actress, and Rachel St. Gelais won second place as Best Youth Actor. Russell was also nominated for Best Actress at Hoboken International Film Festival, while the upcoming New Hope Film Festival program features the film in its lead story.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 12:42:54 +0000