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BLOOD ON THE COAL
Year: 2015
Classification: PG
Runtime: 103 min
Produced In: Australia
Directed By: Jeff Bird
Produced By: Xanon Murphy, Sofia Madden
Language: English
Stories from the Queensland coalfields over the last 150 years, as told by mineworkers and their families: a rare and valuable contribution to the history of both Australian labour and the nation's mining industry.
Told with compelling honesty and wry humour by the mineworkers themselves, Blood on the Coal is the story of the Queensland coalfields – one of the world's richest energy resources and for 150 years the basis of an industry fraught with unregulated hazards and tragic loss of life.
The film traces the history of the miners, from the darkest days of the 19th century to the daunting industrial safety and community challenges that face the global corporations and the unions today.
A story of social action, tragedy and survival, the film documents harrowing underground disasters, heroic rescues and traces a history of strikes, industrial turmoil and the constant threat to the viability of regional communities.
The film underscores the ongoing values of mateship, community spirit and unity in the face of powerful opposing forces. It bears witness to the human cost of mining and reveals how ordinary workers and their families have risked and lost their lives in the service of corporations and government.
It as once an expression of the human dimension of the mining industry, and a moving statement of pride and dignity in labour. As such, the film is a rare and valuable contribution to the history of both Australian labour and the nation's mining industry.
"Blood on the Coal is social story-telling at its finest. It's not just about the struggles and the hopes of the Queensland miners and their families; it's about the struggles and hopes of workers everywhere". - Dr John Falzon, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society National Council
"Blood on the Coal is without doubt the best film about working people ever produced in Australia". - Dr Bruce Hearn Mackinnon, Deakin University
Narrated by Jack Thompson.
VIEW TRAILER HERE: vimeo.com/433458126
DVD EXTRAS: additional scenes and interviews (100 mins)
AWARDS
Honolulu Film Awards (USA) 2016
Gold Kahuna Award, Documentary Feature Competition
The NOVA Fest (USA) 2016
The Artist Circle Selection
Mountain Film Festival (USA) 2016
Sir Edmund Hillary Award – Documentary Competition
Impact DOCS Award (USA) 2016
Award of Excellence, Documentary Feature
The IndieFest, (USA)
2015 Humanitarian Award - Outstanding Achievement
Global Film Awards (USA) 2015
Humanitarian Award - Outstanding Achievement
Oregon Film Awards (USA), 2015
Platinum Award, Documentary Film Competition
California Film Awards (USA), 2015
Silver Award, Documentary Film Competition
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival (USA), 2015
Gold Award, Documentary
The IndieFest (USA), 2015
Award of Excellence, Documentary Feature
Accolade Global Film Competition (USA), 2015
Award of Excellence, Documentary Feature
Festival Screenings – Official Selections
Cincinnati Film Festival (USA), 2015
Louisville's International Festival of Film (USA), 2015
River's Edge International Film Festival (USA), 2015
Permalink: https://www.roninfilms.com.au/feature/13172