Watch The Mountain Minor

The Mountain Minor is a 2019 independent drama film directed and written by Dale Farmer, marking his feature film directorial debut. The movie premiered at the 2019 Nashville Film Festival and has received positive reviews for its intimate portrayal of the traditional Appalachian music culture. Set in modern times, the movie traces the journey of a family of coal miners in eastern Kentucky who migrate to Ohio seeking better job opportunities. The protagonist, a young man named Charlie Abner (portrayed by Asa Nelson), becomes reluctant to go with his family and decides to stay behind to pursue his ion for music.

The film then shifts to a flashback, depicting Charlie's great-great-grandfather, Martin Abner (portrayed by Dan Gellert), who lived in the early 20th century and carried on the family tradition of playing traditional Appalachian music on his fiddle. Martin, along with his wife and children, lived a simple life in the Appalachian mountains and relied on their music to express themselves, connect with others, and find solace from the hardships of life.

However, as time ed, the younger generation of Martins' family began to seek newer opportunities outside the mountains, and with them, the music began to fade away. Charlie’s great-grandfather, Birch Abner, sold his grandfather's fiddle in a moment of despair, and with it, the family lost its musical heritage.

The film then jumps back to the present, where Charlie discovers an old fiddle in his grandfather's belongings, and he sets out to learn to play it. To achieve this, he heads to Eastern Kentucky, hoping to understand his family's roots and learn some secrets of the traditional Appalachian music. Once there, he connects with his extended family and several music enthusiasts, including his great-aunt Gladys (played by Ma Crow), and local musicians who are keeping the traditional mountain music alive.

Through a series of interactions, Charlie learns the history of the Appalachian music, its roots in Scottish and Irish folk music, and the significant role it played in the lives of mountain people. He also begins to understand the cultural values, the meaning and the emotion behind the music, and the broader context of social and political changes shaping the genre.

The film is a touching portrayal of a family's legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage, and how the personal and cultural values can be ed from one generation to the next. The Mountain Minor features an exciting cast of actors and an outstanding array of traditional Appalachian music performances, including original compositions by musicians who also play characters in the film.

The cinematography of the movie is exceptional, capturing the scenic beauty of the Appalachian mountains and the authentic rural lifestyle. It's a visually stunning, emotionally powerful, and musically enriching film that showcases the charms of Appalachian culture and its musical history, reminding us of the importance of preserving and respecting cultural traditions.

In conclusion, The Mountain Minor is an immersive, heartwarming, and enlightening film that can appeal to anyone looking for a captivating story about family and cultural heritage. It's an excellent example of independent filmmaking that succeeds in bringing attention to underrepresented cultural traditions to a broader audience. The Mountain Minor is recommended to anyone interested in folk music, Appalachian culture, or independent film.