Harlan County U.S.A.

The film delves deep into a crucial period in American labor history, focusing on the coal miners' tenacious strike against the Brookside Mine owned by Eastover Mining Company in Harlan County, Kentucky during June 1973. When the company stubbornly refused to sign a contract with the United Mine Workers of America after the miners sought union representation, the stage was set for an arduous battle that would span over a year. The struggle unfolds dramatically as the miners face off against gun-wielding scabs and vicious company enforcers while their courageous families provide unwavering support on the sidelines. Director Barbara Kopple masterfully presents this story in context, offering valuable insights into the miners' longstanding struggles and the significance of the United Mine Workers of America within this fight for basic human rights. This compelling documentary was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with New York Women in Film & Television in 2004, ensuring its historical importance and relevance are not lost to future generations.