Big Moccasin

Winding through the rolling Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia is a 20-mile span of road called BIG MOCCASIN. There, directors Chelsea Moynehan and Andrew Moynehan introduce us to the unhurried lives of four locals: Geraldine, an ailing widow; Mouse, an avid hunter and, believe it or not, animal enthusiast; and chain-smoking Polo and his lifelong best friend Steve. In this shrinking community—where drinking and going to church are the most common ways to fill a day—these aging Appalachian residents fondly recall stories of their youth, while being keenly aware of the rapidly changing world around them and the uncertainty of their place within it. As seasons pass, the four individuals experience loss on multiple levels. Still, a sense of hope lies in the steady return of spring. Featuring country music by Folk Soul Revival, this poignant documentary showcases the Moynehans’ ability to capture the inherent beauty in their oft-overlooked subjects. (In English with subtitles) – E.B.