Harlan County, USA documents the 1973 coal miners' strike in Kentucky. The film captures the dangerous working conditions, low wages, and labor struggles faced by miners and their families as they fought for better treatment from the Eastover Mining Company.
Barbara Kopple's cinema verite approach immerses viewers in the tense picket lines and confrontations between strikers and company thugs. Through powerful protest music and intimate portraits of key figures, the film preserves an important chapter in labor history and inspired future activist filmmakers.
Background of Harlan County coal miners
Harlan County, located in southeastern Kentucky, has a long history of coal mining that dates back to the early 20th century
The coal mining industry in Harlan County has been characterized by dangerous working conditions, low wages for miners, and high profits for mining companies
Miners in Harlan County have faced numerous challenges, including unsafe mine shafts, inadequate ventilation, and the constant risk of accidents and injuries
Dangerous working conditions in mines
Top images from around the web for Dangerous working conditions in mines
File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 1
Top images from around the web for Dangerous working conditions in mines
File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
File:Child coal miners (1908) crop.jpg - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 1
Coal miners in Harlan County worked in extremely hazardous conditions, with frequent accidents, cave-ins, and explosions
Miners were exposed to toxic gases, dust, and other harmful substances that led to respiratory diseases such as black lung
Inadequate safety measures and outdated equipment contributed to the high rate of injuries and fatalities in the mines
Miners often worked long hours in cramped, dark, and damp conditions, leading to physical and mental strain
Low wages vs high company profits
Despite the dangerous nature of their work, Harlan County coal miners were paid low wages compared to the profits earned by mining companies
Mining companies prioritized profits over the well-being of their workers, often cutting corners on safety measures and equipment maintenance to reduce costs
Miners struggled to support their families on meager wages, leading to poverty and financial instability in the community
The disparity between miners' wages and company profits fueled resentment and the desire for better working conditions and fair compensation
Long history of labor struggles
Harlan County has a long history of labor struggles, with miners fighting for their rights and better working conditions since the early 20th century
Miners formed unions, such as the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), to collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and safety measures
Mining companies often resisted unionization efforts, leading to violent confrontations and strikes (Harlan County War of the 1930s)
The history of labor struggles in Harlan County set the stage for the Brookside mine strike depicted in the documentary
Barbara Kopple's involvement
Barbara Kopple, a young filmmaker, became interested in the Harlan County miners' strike after reading about it in a newspaper
Kopple recognized the importance of documenting the miners' struggle and decided to travel to Harlan County to film the strike
Initial interest in miners' strike
Kopple was drawn to the miners' strike because of her interest in social justice and labor issues
She believed that the miners' story needed to be told and that a documentary could help raise awareness about their struggle
Kopple saw the potential for a powerful and impactful film that could shed light on the challenges faced by working-class Americans
Building trust with mining community
Upon arriving in Harlan County, Kopple faced the challenge of gaining the trust of the mining community, who were initially suspicious of outsiders
She spent time with the miners and their families, listening to their stories and demonstrating her commitment to accurately portraying their experiences
Kopple's genuine interest and empathy helped her build relationships with key figures in the community, such as Lois Scott and other miners' wives
Embedding with striking miners
To capture the full story of the strike, Kopple and her crew embedded themselves with the striking miners, living with them and documenting their daily lives
By immersing herself in the community, Kopple was able to gain a deep understanding of the miners' struggles and the dynamics of the strike
Embedding with the miners allowed Kopple to capture intimate moments and behind-the-scenes footage that would have been impossible to obtain as an outsider
Capturing the Brookside mine strike
The Brookside mine strike began in 1973 when miners at the Eastover Mining Company's Brookside mine in Harlan County went on strike to demand better working conditions and fair wages
Kopple and her crew arrived in Harlan County to document the strike, which would become the central focus of the documentary
Arrival of Eastover Mining Company
Eastover Mining Company, a subsidiary of Duke Power, took over the Brookside mine in the early 1970s
The company's arrival brought changes to the mine's operations and working conditions, which miners felt were detrimental to their safety and well-being
Tensions between the miners and the company began to escalate as miners demanded improvements to their working conditions and fair compensation
Miners' demands for safer conditions
The striking miners at Brookside demanded safer working conditions, including improved ventilation, updated equipment, and better safety protocols
Miners wanted the company to address the high rates of accidents and injuries in the mine and to prioritize the health and well-being of workers
The miners' demands for safer conditions were at the heart of the strike and reflected the long-standing issues in the Harlan County mining industry
Tense confrontations on picket line
As the strike progressed, tensions between the striking miners and the company escalated, leading to tense confrontations on the picket line
Striking miners blocked the entrance to the mine, preventing strikebreakers and company officials from entering
The picket line became a site of conflict, with miners and their supporters facing off against company guards and law enforcement
Kopple's cinema verite approach
Kopple employed a cinema verite approach to documenting the Brookside mine strike, capturing events as they unfolded without staging or intervention
This raw, unfiltered style of filmmaking allowed Kopple to present a realistic and unvarnished portrayal of the strike and its participants
The cinema verite approach lent the documentary a sense of immediacy and authenticity, immersing viewers in the experiences of the striking miners
Portrayal of key figures
Harlan County, USA features several key figures who played significant roles in the Brookside mine strike and the broader struggle for miners' rights
Kopple's portrayal of these individuals highlights their resilience, determination, and the personal sacrifices they made in the fight for better working conditions
Resilience of miners' wives
The documentary showcases the critical role played by miners' wives in supporting the strike and maintaining solidarity within the community
Women like Lois Scott and Bessie Lou Cornett emerged as leaders, organizing strike support activities and rallying the community behind the miners
The miners' wives demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of hardship, violence, and intimidation, standing firm in their commitment to the cause
Defiance of Lois Scott
Lois Scott, one of the most prominent figures in the documentary, epitomized the defiance and determination of the striking miners and their families
Scott fearlessly confronted company officials, law enforcement, and strikebreakers, refusing to back down in the face of threats and violence
Her unwavering commitment to the strike and her willingness to put herself on the front lines inspired other miners and their families to persevere
Intimidation by Basil Collins
Basil Collins, a local judge with ties to the mining company, represented the intimidation and opposition faced by the striking miners
Collins used his position to issue injunctions against the miners and to limit their ability to picket and protest
The portrayal of Collins in the documentary highlights the power imbalance between the miners and the company, and the challenges they faced in their fight for justice
Use of protest music
Harlan County, USA makes extensive use of protest music, drawing on the rich tradition of Appalachian folk music to underscore the miners' struggle
The music in the documentary serves as a powerful emotional and cultural touchstone, connecting the miners' experiences to the broader history of labor activism in the region
Appalachian folk music tradition
Appalachian folk music has a long history of chronicling the lives and struggles of working-class people in the region
The music often features themes of hardship, injustice, and resistance, making it a natural fit for the story of the Brookside mine strike
The use of Appalachian folk music in the documentary helps to situate the miners' struggle within a larger cultural and historical context
Hazel Dickens' powerful vocals
Hazel Dickens, a prominent Appalachian folk singer, provides much of the music in Harlan County, USA
Dickens' powerful, emotive vocals bring the songs to life, conveying the pain, anger, and determination of the striking miners and their families
Her performances add depth and resonance to the documentary, underscoring the emotional impact of the events depicted on screen
Lyrics reflecting miners' struggles
The lyrics of the protest songs used in the documentary directly address the experiences and struggles of the Harlan County miners
Songs like "Which Side Are You On?" and "They'll Never Keep Us Down" speak to the miners' determination to fight for their rights and their refusal to be intimidated by the company
The lyrics serve as a form of narration, commenting on the events of the strike and the broader issues of labor activism and social justice
Depicting violence and resistance
Harlan County, USA does not shy away from depicting the violence and intimidation faced by the striking miners and their families
Kopple's camera captures the tense confrontations between miners and company guards, as well as the broader climate of fear and unrest in the community
Threats from company gun thugs
The documentary shows how the mining company employed armed guards, known as "gun thugs," to intimidate and harass the striking miners
These gun thugs, often hired from outside the community, threatened miners on the picket line and even fired shots at their homes
The presence of the gun thugs underscored the company's willingness to use violence and intimidation to break the strike
Miner solidarity vs strikebreaker aggression
The documentary contrasts the solidarity and unity of the striking miners with the aggression and hostility of the strikebreakers brought in by the company
Scenes of miners and their families peacefully picketing and supporting one another are juxtaposed with footage of strikebreakers hurling insults and physically confronting the miners
This contrast highlights the power of collective action and the challenges faced by workers who stand up for their rights
Bloody clash at Highsplint
One of the most dramatic and violent moments in the documentary occurs during a confrontation at the Highsplint mine, where strikebreakers and miners clashed
The scene captures the chaos and brutality of the encounter, with shots fired and people injured on both sides
The Highsplint clash underscores the high stakes of the strike and the willingness of both sides to resort to violence in pursuit of their goals
Killing of Lawrence Jones
The killing of Lawrence Jones, a young miner who was shot by a company guard during a confrontation, is a turning point in the documentary
Jones' death galvanizes the striking miners and their supporters, fueling their determination to see the strike through to the end
The tragedy also highlights the human cost of the conflict and the devastating impact of violence on the community
Resolution and aftermath
After a long and bitter struggle, the striking miners at Brookside ultimately prevailed, winning a union contract and improved working conditions
However, the victory was bittersweet, as the coal industry in Harlan County and across Appalachia would soon face a steep decline
Miners' union contract victory
The striking miners' successful negotiation of a union contract represented a significant victory for labor activism in Harlan County
The contract provided for better wages, benefits, and safety measures, addressing many of the miners' key demands
The victory demonstrated the power of collective action and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity
Subsequent decline of coal industry
Despite the miners' hard-fought victory at Brookside, the coal industry in Harlan County and the broader Appalachian region would soon enter a period of decline
Factors such as increased mechanization, competition from other energy sources, and shifting economic priorities led to the closure of many mines and the loss of thousands of jobs
The decline of the coal industry had a devastating impact on mining communities, leading to widespread poverty and economic hardship
Lasting impact on labor movement
The Brookside mine strike and the events depicted in Harlan County, USA had a lasting impact on the labor movement in the United States
The documentary helped to raise awareness about the struggles of working-class Americans and the importance of labor activism in securing fair treatment and better conditions
The miners' victory at Brookside served as an inspiration to other workers and activists, demonstrating the power of solidarity and collective action in the face of corporate opposition
Kopple's reflections on filmmaking process
In interviews and writings about the making of Harlan County, USA, Barbara Kopple has reflected on the challenges and ethical considerations involved in documenting the miners' strike
Her experiences in Harlan County shaped her approach to documentary filmmaking and her commitment to giving voice to marginalized communities
Challenges of access and safety
Gaining access to the mining community and the strike itself was a significant challenge for Kopple and her crew
They faced suspicion and hostility from both the mining company and some members of the community who were wary of outsiders
The violence and unrest surrounding the strike also posed safety concerns for the filmmakers, who had to navigate a tense and unpredictable environment
Ethical considerations of representation
Kopple has spoken about the ethical considerations involved in representing the lives and struggles of the Harlan County miners
She has emphasized the importance of building trust with the community and ensuring that their experiences are portrayed accurately and with respect
Kopple has also acknowledged the power dynamics at play in documentary filmmaking and the need to be mindful of the potential impact of the film on the lives of its subjects
Role of women in production team
Harlan County, USA was notable for the prominent role played by women in its production team
In addition to Kopple, who directed and produced the film, women like Anne Lewis and Elizabeth Barret served as cinematographers and sound recordists
The presence of women behind the camera helped to create a sense of trust and rapport with the miners' wives and other women in the community, who played a crucial role in the strike
Legacy and influence of Harlan County, USA
Since its release in 1976, Harlan County, USA has been widely recognized as a landmark documentary and a powerful testament to the importance of labor activism and social justice
The film has had a lasting impact on the documentary genre and has inspired a new generation of filmmakers committed to telling the stories of working-class communities
Academy Award for Best Documentary
Harlan County, USA won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1977
The award was a recognition of the film's artistic merit and its powerful portrayal of the Brookside mine strike
The success of the film helped to establish Barbara Kopple as a leading figure in the documentary film world and brought greater attention to the struggles of mining communities
Preserving history of labor activism
Harlan County, USA plays a crucial role in preserving the history of labor activism in Appalachia and the United States more broadly
The film documents a pivotal moment in the long struggle for workers' rights and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and challenges faced by those who fought for better conditions
By capturing the voices and experiences of the Harlan County miners and their families, the film ensures that their story will not be forgotten and will continue to inspire future generations
Inspiring new generation of filmmakers
The success and impact of Harlan County, USA has inspired a new generation of documentary filmmakers committed to social justice and activism
Filmmakers like Michael Moore, Ai Weiwei, and Laura Poitras have cited Kopple's work as an influence on their own approach to documentary storytelling
The film's legacy continues to be felt in the documentary world, with new films and projects that seek to shed light on the struggles of working-class communities and the fight for economic and social justice