Devil Put the Coal in the Ground

Uniquely structured upon the personal storytelling of native West Virginians, Devil Put The Coal In The Ground is a meditation on the suffering and devastation brought on by the coal industry and it’s decline. From the realities of a crumbling economy, to the ravages of the opioid epidemic, to the irreparable environmental damage and its tragic impact on human health – the film is a cautionary tale of unfettered corporate power, and an elegy to a vanishing Appalachia.

Featuring the music of Steve Earle & Iris Dement

“Brilliant. Finely tailored. A subtle blend of pathos and urgency. DEVIL is such an honest film that it left me with hope, but also much sadness and anger. My hope is this anger can be channeled into action by people who can make change.” - Jerry Hartleben, Documentary Programmer Sedona Film Festival

”A masterfully conceptualized, deeply moving documentary that fearlessly and empathically dives into the complex entanglements between extraction, coal mining, the opioid epidemic, corporate greed, poverty, public health, and environmental degradations…Its web-like structure and gorgeous, carefully hewn cinematography rejects the voices of outside experts and instead makes space for the voices and resilience of everyday people living through these multiple crises, a searing history from below.” —Patricia Zimmermann, Director, Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival 

“A powerful movie that hit close to my home. I wish everyone could see this film… a story that NEEDS to be told. A perfect example of why documentary is so very important!" - Mary Zunick, Hot Springs Film Festival (Work-In-Progress Screening)