Interview with Jack Willis, October 20, 2017

Interview Summary

Jack Willis, a filmmaker responsible for films such as "Lay My Burden Down" and "Rich Land, Poor People", discusses his childhood and the beginnings of his career. He talks about venturing into Appalachia after the death of Hugh O'Connor, a Canadian filmmaker murdered in the region, and discovering poverty masked by the Appalachian mountains. He also discusses making his film "Rich Land, Poor People", including the people that were in it, production, and his feelings about it. His association with Appalshop, Inc. before it became established as an organization is discussed, as well as his mentor, Doug Leiterman, and the contributions he made to the film making world.

Interview Keyword

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) CBS News Community Film Workshop Council (CFWC) Doug Leiterman Lay My Burden Down National Educational Television (NET) Rich Land, Poor People

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region--Social conditions Appalshop, Inc. Film. Filmmakers Rural conditions Documentary films

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.