Philosophy: Harlan County, USA 18

Harlan County, USA follows the 1973 Brookside miners’ strike in Kentucky. Filmed over several years, director Barbara Kopple and her crew documented how the workers fought for better wages, safer conditions and recognition of their union (United Mine Workers of America). They were faced with increasingly violent tactics from the Eastover Coal Company who tried to suppress the strike.

In the post-film talk Ray Morrison will discuss themes of worker solidarity and collective action, as well as the role of music within these movements.

Ray writes: "This is a really incredible film and I'm so looking forward to seeing it at Showroom!"

Philosophy at the Showroom is a series of screenings that probe the philosophical questions raised by some of cinema’s most intriguing films. Each film will be introduced by a philosopher from the University of Sheffield and will be followed by a group discussion of the philosophical problems it confronts.

F-Rated: Directed by Barbara Kopple