American Hollow

For one year, documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy lived with the Appalachian Bowling family in Saul, Kentucky, one of the poorest and most isolated parts of the Appalachian Mountains, or as it is popularly termed: Appalachia. Because Kennedy got to know this family, under the undisputed leadership of 68-year-old Iree Bowling, from very close by while shooting her film American Hollow, she was able to register from within how hard it is for these once so proud people to survive in rural America. Vital provisions like education and medical care are not available, while the achievements of the modern age (cars, televisions) are slowly entering their world. Although Iree has a history of alcoholism and abuse, she takes care of her bedridden mother and mentally handicapped sister, and for her children and grandchildren she is the one who can keep the Appalachian traditions alive. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)