From the Hills and Hollers: OCTOBER SKY with Dr. Amy Wolfe

Watch Trailer Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern

About the film

Based on the memoir Rocket Boys by American engineer Homer H. Hickman Jr., the film tells the story of four young men who, while growing up in the coal fields of rural West Virginia in the late-1950s, witness the world-shaking launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite and are inspired to start building rockets of their own, seeking a path to the stars instead of succumbing to the well-tread paths that would lead them down into the coal mines.

About the series

Due to the resounding success of the series launch during 2022-2023, we are thrilled to present the 2^nd annual From the Hills and Hollers: Appalachian Film Series for 2023-2024.

The series seeks to foster a deeper connection between the Athens city and university communities and the cultural legacy of the surrounding region through films that examine the many facets, both positive and negative, of life in Appalachia. This batch of films is, in large part, the product of filmmakers who have intimate knowledge of living in this environment and, as a result, are well-suited for representing the realities of Appalachia on the big screen.

Short introduction/lectures will provide context for the film and introduce the underlying issues represented in film and other media. All events in the series are presented with free admission.

This screening will take place at the Athena Cinema located at 20 S. Court St.

This series is sponsored by the College of Health Sciences and Professions, the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, OHIO Honors Program, Center for Campus and Community Engagement, Athens County Public Libraries, University Libraries, GO Local, University College, the Center for Law, Justice, and Culture, and the Ohio Arts Council.