'Hillbillly'; documentary film; Appreciating Diversity Film Series

Oct 17 7:00 pm in Piedmont; Nov. 3 12:30 pm in Oakland at The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street, Oakland

Throughout American history, there has been an undeniable divide between urban and rural America. People from certain regions are viewed as "the other," and blamed for America's social ills. Since the 2016 presidential election, that cultural divide has only expanded and deepened. With their documentary Hillbilly, co-directors Ashley York and Sally Rubin - both natives of Appalachia- have made a complex film about complex people. Hillbilly is an entertaining, informative, and sobering look at Appalachia: its diversity, the consequences of stereotyping its people, and an examination of why so many there voted for Donald Trump.

Hillbilly goes on a personal and political journey into the heart of the Appalachian coalfields, exploring the role of media representation in the creation of the iconic American "hillbilly," and examining the social, cultural, and political underpinnings of this infamous stereotype.

Hillbilly is a timely and urgent exploration of how we see and think about poverty and rural identity in contemporary America, offering a call for dialogue.

"I'm happy to see somebody trying to cover us as we really are and not what some people think we are. It's wonderful the attention you've paid to so many areas that are so important to all of us. I'm proud to have been mentioned in the film a time or two."
--Dolly Parton

Los Angeles Film Festival Jury Prize for Best Documentary.

6:30 pm reception
7:00 - 8:30 screening of film
8:30 - 9:00 facilitated community discussion

Oakland on Sun, Nov. 3 The New Parkway Theater 474 24th Street Oakland 94612 (btw Telegraph and Broadway)
12:30 - 2:30 pm
Food available for purchase

Appropriate for ages 11 and up

Sponsored by the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee, Piedmont League of Women Voters, Piedmont Adult Education, and the City of Piedmont.

Free/no RSVP needed.