{{Short description|2019 drama film directed by Dale Farmer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = The Mountain Minor | image = The_Mountain_Minor_movie_poster.jpg | alt = | caption = Official poster | director = Dale Farmer | producer = {{Plainlist| * Susan Pepper * Dale Farmer }} | writer = Dale Farmer | starring = {{Plainlist| <!--- Per poster billing block ---> * Dan Gellert * Elizabeth LaPrelle * Ma Crow * Asa Nelson * Hazel Pasley * Jonathan Bradshaw * Warren Waldron * Amy Cogan Clay * Jonathan Bradshaw * Judy Waldron * Trevor McKenzie * Mike Oberst }} | music = {{Plainlist| * Trevor McKenzie }} | cinematography = Paul Halluch | editing = {{Plainlist| * Eitan Abramowitz * Scott Young (additional) }} | studio = Alt452 Productions | released = {{Film date|2018|08||Jukebox International Film Festival|2019|10|17|United States}} | runtime = 89 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = $150,000 (estimated) }}
'''''The Mountain Minor''''' is a 2019 American drama film written, directed and co-produced by Dale Farmer, produced by Susan Pepper, and starring Dan Gellert, Elizabeth LaPrelle, Ma Crow, Asa Nelson, Hazel Pasley, Jonathan Bradshaw, Warren Waldron, Amy Cogan Clay, Judy Waldron, Trevor McKenzie and Mike Oberst. The film is noted for its on-screen performances of old-time music commonly associated with Appalachia.<ref name="The Bluegrass Standard">{{Cite web |url=https://thebluegrassstandard.com/the-mountain-minor-film-brings-appalachian-music-to-life/ |title=The Mountain Minor: Film Brings Appalachian Music to Life |last=Bachman|first=Kara Martinez|website=The Bluegrass Standard |accessdate=August 8, 2020}}</ref>
==Plot== During the Great Depression, Vestal Abner, his wife Oza and their young son Charlie reluctantly move from their impoverished farm in Eastern Kentucky to Ohio, where Vestal has found a job. As Charlie grows up and eventually marries his childhood friend, Ruthie, he yearns to return to his boyhood home in the mountains, never losing his passion for the traditional mountain music of his ancestors.<ref name="Jackson County Sun">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nolangroupmedia.com/jackson_county_sun/the-mountain-minor---homecoming/article_b5a4046c-69ee-11ea-aebd-17a89613fc4b.html |title=The Mountain Minor: Homecoming |last=Abner|first=Carmen|website=Jackson County Sun |accessdate=March 19, 2020}}</ref>
== Cast == * Dan Gellert as Charlie Abner * Ma Crow as Ruth Abner * Asa Nelson as Young Charlie * Hazel Pasley as Young Ruth * Elizabeth LaPrelle as Oza Abner * Jonathan Bradshaw as Vestal Abner * Warren Waldron as Tom Abner * Amy Cogan Clay as Dellie Abner * Judy Waldron as Granny Whit * Chuck Blackburn as Dan * Mike Oberst as Willie Abner * Trevor McKenzie as Ves Abner * Susan Pepper as Sandra Abner * Tracy Jarrell as Kim Abner * Aaron Wolfe as Jimmie Abner * Alison Moretz as Julie Abner * Lucas Pasley as Hershel Abner * Betty Wolfe as Hershel's Wife * Wyatt Wolfe as Hershel's Grandson * Naomi Jarrell as Willie Abner (baby) * Rhoda Bradshaw as Sarah Abner * Hubbard Bradshaw as Charlie Abner (toddler) * James Moretz as Sandra Abner's Husband * Josie Moretz as Sandra Abner's Daughter * The Tillers (Mike Oberst, Sean Geal, Aaron Geal, Joe Macheret) as The Willie Abner Band * Walton Conway as Man On Road * Carolina Conway as Woman On Road * Ed Pilkington as Elder Alton Radcliff * Wade Wilmoth as Funeral Minister * Gary Sampson as Ron * Jean Pence as Jean * Nick Schraub as Mark * Cecil Gurganus as Square Dance Fiddler * Dakota Phillips as Southgate House Audience * Maria Carrelli as Southgate House Audience *Brenton McMusiclover as Southgate House Audience *Hannah Peacock as Southgate House Audience *Zane Thompson as Southgate House Audience
==Background== Writer-director Dale Farmer made ''The Mountain Minor'' as a tribute to Appalachian culture and music, with the intention of portraying the characters realistically, not in the stereotypical manner in which mountain people are often depicted in film and television.<ref name="Miami University News">{{Cite news |url=https://miamioh.edu/news/top-stories/2017/11/the-mountain-minor-film.html |title=Film about Appalachian life and music has Miami connections |last=Kissell|first=Margo|website=Miami University News |accessdate=November 9, 2017}}</ref> Farmer, an old-time musician himself, loosely based the movie on the story of his grandparents, who migrated as children to Ohio from Jackson County, Kentucky during the 1930s.<ref name="Watauga Democrat">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/the-mountain-minor-to-be-filmed-in-todd/article_e81c8066-1af3-50b5-bcfb-f33332e67e34.html |title='The Mountain Minor' to be filmed in Todd |last=Eason|first=Jeff|website=Watauga Democrat |accessdate=June 2, 2017}}</ref> The title of the film refers to a banjo tuning often used in old-time music.<ref name="Western Carolina University">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wcu.edu/stories/posts/News/2019/10/appalachian-migration-mountain-music-traditions-explored-in-new-indie-movie/index.aspx |title=English Department's Bradshaw appears in film about Appalachian music, migration |website=Western Carolina University |accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Deering Banjos">{{Cite news |url=https://www.deeringbanjos.com/pages/how-to-tune-a-banjo |title=How to tune a banjo |website=Deering Banjos|accessdate=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
==Production== ''The Mountain Minor'' was a collaboration of Alt452 Productions, WonderlandWoods.tv and From the Heart Productions.<ref name="High Country Press">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hcpress.com/news/mountain-minor-nears-completion-film-reps-boone-saturday-app-state-fiddlers-convention.html |title='The Mountain Minor' Nears Completion; Film Reps in Boone Saturday for App State Fiddler's Convention |last=Norris|first=Sherrie|website=High Country Press |accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref> The film spans several decades as it follows the characters Charlie Abner and Ruth Whit from childhood into adulthood, marriage and retirement. Though many scenes are set in Kentucky, they were filmed primarily at the historic Willet Ponds Farm<ref name="GoBlueRidge.net">{{Cite web|url=https://www.goblueridge.net/news/46690-movie-filmed-in-ashe-county-debuts-on-tv-june-6 |title=Movie filmed in Ashe County debuts on TV June 6 |last=Fisher|first=Bill|website=GoBlueRidge.net |accessdate=May 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="WilletPondsFarm.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.willetpondsfarm.com/pioneer-house |title=Have you ever lived on a movie set? |website=WilletPondsFarm.com |accessdate=August 9, 2020}}</ref> in Todd, North Carolina for logistical and budget reasons. Other scenes were filmed in Newport, Kentucky; Oxford, Ohio; and Eaton, Ohio.<ref name="WVXU">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wvxu.org/post/mountain-minor-movie-appalachian-music#stream/0 |title='The Mountain Minor' Movie & Appalachian Music|last=Hay|first=Lee|website=WVXU |accessdate=October 14, 2019}}</ref> Because of the film's emphasis on old-time music and Farmer's desire for authenticity, he decided to cast most of the main roles with experienced musicians, including Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Elizabeth LaPrelle (of the duo Anna & Elizabeth), Dan Gellert, Ma Crow and Mike Oberst of the band The Tillers.<ref name="Roanoke Times">{{Cite news|url=https://roanoke.com/entertainment/music/old-time-singer-from-anna-elizabeth-takes-acting-role-that-showcases-her-singing/article_a8f76e7f-af15-54a0-a761-980eb790ca11.html |title=Old-time singer from Anna & Elizabeth takes acting role that showcases her singing |last=Dickens|first=Todd|website=Roanoke Times |accessdate=June 5, 2020}}</ref> As Farmer told ''Bluegrass Today'', “I figured that if I took professional musicians who are used to performing, that musicians would make better actors than actors make musicians.”<ref name="Bluegrass Today">{{Cite news|url=https://bluegrasstoday.com/mountain-minor-film-coming-soon/ |title='Mountain Minor' film coming soon |last=Lawless|first=John|website=Bluegrass Today |accessdate=April 11, 2017}}</ref>
==Release and critical response== ''The Mountain Minor'' premiered at the Jukebox International Film Festival in Carson City, Nevada in 2018, where it received awards for Best of Festival and Best Picture-Runner Up. The film subsequently received awards in other festivals.<ref name="Cincinnati Enquirer">{{Cite news|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/10/16/can-you-spot-cincinnati-cameos-new-film-the-mountain-minor/3991511002/ |title=This new Cincinnati-inspired film is winning tons of awards |last=Mitchell|first=Madeline|website=Cincinnati Enquirer |accessdate=October 16, 2019}}</ref>
In addition to film festival awards, ''The Mountain Minor'' received positive reviews in several publications. Bill McGoun of the ''Asheville Citizen-Times'' called it "a powerful and true-to-life depiction of people doing what they needed to do to make their way in a sometimes difficult world".<ref name="Asheville Citizen-Times">{{Cite news|url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/2019/11/09/the-mountain-minor-major-win-appalachian-stories-opinion/2530907001/ |title='The Mountain Minor' is a major win for Appalachian stories |last=McGoun|first=Bill|website=Asheville Citizen-Times |accessdate=November 9, 2019}}</ref> James Peterson for the ''Old-Time Central'' described the film as "highly entertaining, packed with beautiful scenery, and full of great tunes played masterfully by the actors themselves".<ref name="Old-Time Central">{{Cite news|url=https://oldtime-central.com/the-mountain-minor-movie-review-and-interview/ |title='The Mountain Minor' Movie Review and Interview |last=Peterson|first=James|website=Old-Time Central |accessdate=July 2, 2019}}</ref> Joel Wertman, president of The Heartland Network, said, "This film captures beautifully how the country music genre was born".<ref name="Chattanooga Times Free Press">{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/life/entertainment/story/2020/jun/06/the-mountain-mirror/524613/ |title=New movie on the Heartland network, 'The Mountain Minor,' brings Appalachia to life |last=Courter|first=Barry|website=Chattanooga Times Free Press |accessdate=June 6, 2020}}</ref>
Following screenings at film festivals, ''The Mountain Minor'' had its commercial theatrical premiere at The Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 17 and October 20, 2019.<ref name=WLWT-TV>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/the-esquire-theatre-hosting-premiere-for-the-mountain-minor/29527390# |title=Esquire Theatre hosting premiere for 'The Mountain Minor' |website=WLWT.com |accessdate=October 20, 2019}}</ref> Additional theatrical showings took place in other cities from November, 2019 until March, 2020. Subsequent theatrical showings were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic causing most movie theaters and other entertainment venues to shut down beginning in March, 2020.
With theaters closed, Alt452 Productions released ''The Mountain Minor'' on Blu-ray, DVD, Amazon and Vimeo on Demand in the spring of 2020.<ref name="Indie Activity">{{Cite news|url=https://www.indieactivity.com/the-mountain-minor-award-winner-released-digitally-due-to-coronavirus/ |title=The Mountain Minor, Award-Winning Film Released Digitally Due to Coronavirus |website=Indie Activity |accessdate=May 4, 2020}}</ref> Several television entities also began showing, or making plans to show the film, including The Heartland Network,<ref name="The Savvy Screener">{{Cite news|url=https://oldtime-central.com/the-mountain-minor-movie-review-and-interview/ |title='Mountain Minor' Goes Free |last=Luchter|first=Les|website=The Savvy Screener |accessdate=June 5, 2020}}</ref> Kentucky Educational Television (KET)<ref name="Kentucky Living">{{Cite news|url=https://www.kentuckyliving.com/lifestyle/appalachian-film-soars-with-music-and-poignant-message |title=Appalachian film soars with music and poignant message |last=Isaacs|first=Debra Gibson|website=Kentucky Living |accessdate=June 26, 2020}}</ref> and West Virginia Public Broadcasting.<ref name="Broadway World">{{Cite news |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/west-virginia/article/THE-MOUNTAIN-MINOR-To-Air-On-West-Virginia-Public-Broadcasting-Next-Month-20200831 |title=THE MOUNTAIN MINOR To Air On West Virginia Public Broadcasting Beginning September 14 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |accessdate=August 31, 2019}}</ref>
A soundtrack album, ''The Mountain Minor Motion Picture Soundtrack'', was released on October 16, 2020.<ref name="American Songwriter">{{Cite news|url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-mountain-minor-dale-farmer-soundtrack-interview/?fbclid=IwAR18KTjci3zJxJ5mkkTOKFxa6wKsnOt-3HDRRL9SyEO4-2oDveP5xEoL7qY |title='The Mountain Minor' Releases a Soundtrack Honoring Appalachian Culture and Music |last=Neophytou|first=Nadia|website=American Songwriter |accessdate=October 16, 2020}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|tt10071352}} * {{official website|1=http://www.themountainminormovie.com/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mountain Minor}} Category:2018 drama films Category:2018 films Category:2018 independent films Category:American drama films Category:American independent films Category:Films set in Kentucky Category:2018 English-language films Category:2018 American films Category:English-language independent films Category:English-language drama films