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 2023 Appalachian Studies Association Conference, the OHIO Honors Program, Center for Campus and Community Engagement, Multicultural Center, Black Student Cultural Programming Board, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Program, Athens County Public Libraries, University Libraries, the College of Health Sciences and Professions, College of Arts and Sciences, University College, Honors Tutorial College, Center for Advising, Career, and Experiential Learning, OHIO Fellows, and the Ohio Arts Council.