RUNNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS digs into West Virginia's history of 'patriotic sacrifice,' unearthing veins of dark money and dirty politics. The film tracks grassroots candidates and ordinary citizens' attempts to save their land, water, homes, and communities - calling out the pro-extraction politicians enabling destruction, including Senator Joe Manchin and his likely replacement, coal baron Governor Jim Justice. Appalachia is the proverbial canary in a coal mine; pay attention or pay the price.
Direction
Three directors somehow make one coherent, furious vision.
Writing
Treats Appalachians as experts, not poverty tourists.
Director
Julie Eisenberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title inverts 'running for office'—these candidates are literally running FROM something, and toward survival.
Governor Jim Justice's coal companies owed millions in safety violations at filming; he later switched parties twice.
US
