Harlan County, USA

The struggles of labor have long been a defining aspect of American society, and the new documentary “Harlan County, USA” offers a powerful and unflinching look at one such struggle. The film documents the coal miners’ strike against the Brookside Mine of the Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky in June 1973. The strike, which lasted over a year, was sparked by Eastover’s refusal to sign a contract with the United Mine Workers of America and was characterized by violent confrontations between the miners, company thugs, and local police.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the level of access that director Barbara Kopple and her crew were able to gain. Through a combination of archival footage and traditional labor songs, the film provides a historical perspective on the strike and the broader context of the miners’ struggles. The film also takes a hard look at the living conditions, health issues, and poverty faced by the residents of Harlan County, providing a stark and sobering account of the human toll of the mining industry.

“Harlan County, USA” is a film that is both informative and emotionally powerful. It offers a unique and powerful perspective on the struggles of labor and the human cost of economic exploitation. The film raises important questions about the impact of corporate greed and the importance of workers’ rights.