Yellow Creek, Kentucky (Film)

Yellow Creek, Kentucky

  •  Anne Lewis
  •  1984
  • Color IconColor
  •  28:34
  •  3/4" U-matic video
Film Description
Yellow Creek, Kentucky documents the efforts of the Yellow Creek Concerned Citizens to stop a commercial tannery from dumping toxic wastes into the creek that flows through their small community near Middlesboro, Kentucky. The program begins with residents describing a series of health problems in the community, moves to the process of unravelling the ties between local government and industry, and ends with a victorious election in which a bipartisan slate of concerned citizens take over the Middlesboro City Council. Yellow Creek, Kentucky is one of many films in the Appalshop catalogue on community organizing and civic resistence, as well as struggles over land use and environmental justice that continue today.

Screenings & Festivals
  • American Film Festival
  • Atlanta Independent Film Festival
  • Athens International Film Festival
  • WTTW/Chicago


Not yet preserved. To support the work of preserving and safeguarding the collections, please consider designating a donation to Appalshop Archive.


Reviews

“Excellent for discussion of the environmental challenges facing many communities today, including the role of local politics.” — University of Kentucky
“A very effective program about pollution and the fight of grassroots people to stop it, and a good illustration of how people who care can put pressure on government to stop neglect and indifference.” — Eastern Kentucky Teachers Network
“Excellent — an absolutely first rate documentary that is crystal clear in concept and content.” — Athens International Film Festival