Moundsville: An American Story

When journalist John W. Miller discovered Moundsville, he knew there was a story to tell--and that the people of this community were the ones who should tell it. After writing multiple articles on Moundsville for national publications--including the Wall Street Journal--John teamed up with Pittsburgh filmmaker Dave Bernabo to make a unique documentary on Moundsville that showcases some of the town's biggest characters, most-knowledgeable residents, and colorful history. John and Dave felt a need for a documentary that represents Moundsville and towns like it without resorting to the same, tired tropes:

"After the last election, every media story about small town America focused on the same stuff – Trump, opioids, that rusting factory. We decided to take a different tack. We spent a year traveling to Moundsville, West Virginia — an Ohio river town a bit over an hour southwest of Pittsburgh — and asking people about their lives, their past and their future, and their history, without trying to connect their answers to national corporations and national politicians. We wanted to figure out what really is happening to small American towns after decades of decay. Where are people working? If the factories aren’t coming back, what is the future? How can small towns cope with a massive brain drain toward cities?"

The documentary begins at 7:00, followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $5.

Check out the film's website here.

For a teaser on the film, follow these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-btW_7RGyI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvWQJyJsnb4&feature=youtu.be

For some of John's articles on Moundsville, click here:

https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/02/06/living-trumps-america-west-virginia-town-looks-fresh-start

https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-could-be-scarier-than-a-paranormal-hot-dog-stand-1382927157