The Last Mountain

On Tuesday, March 20, the last of the three part Sustainability Film Series was shown in I.G. Greer Theater. It was the only one of the films that I was able to attend, but I was not disappointed.

The film (titled "The Last Mountain") was about coal mining in West Virginia - or more specifically, the practice of blasting mountains apart to more easily obtain the coal beneath. But these blastings are dangerous for more than just the appearance of the mountains. The entire landscape is changed, resulting in flooding and ground that is incapable of growing plants. The air and water is poisoned, and a giant silo of coal hangs over an elementary school, endangering the future of the town. Massey, the leading coal company of the area, is criticized most as the cause for the destruction.

I.G. Greer was chosen to present the film, and made a good location. Because it was on campus and free, anyone could come, even a college freshman like me. The aisles were wide and there was enough seating for everyone, which made it ideal. The only problems I really saw were that there was no elevator, so someone who is disabled would be limited to sitting in the bottom section, and even then would have difficulty finding a seat. Because Greer is older, the bathrooms were also difficult to get to - they are located in the back of the theater, through doors and a long hallway. If someone has trouble finding a seat, they'd definitely have problems accessing to single-room bathrooms. Luckily, App's newer buildings are much more accommodating.

The film certainly opened my eyes to a very startling reality that is seldom covered in the media, and kept my attention. I walked away wondering what else was going on in the world that the average citizen is not aware of.

(Group, Sustainability Film Series)