About

Planning for The Hills I Call Home started during post-production on We Shall Not Die Now. With a deep interest in the history of Appalachia and coal country, director Ashton Gleckman set off into the mountains of Eastern Kentucky to explore for himself. After driving through various towns, he came across a sign that read “Beattyville.” Shortly thereafter, Ashton stumbled into the town hall where the mayor, Scott Jackson, was sitting in the front lobby. After a four-hour conversation with Jackson, Blackbird Pictures knew the subject of their next film.

In the months to follow, Ashton and his crew spent time in Beattyville, interviewing residents and exploring the city’s streets and hollers.

The crew for The Hills I Call Home included Ashton, who was behind the camera and conducting the interviews, and line producers Trey Brown and Peter Mosby. For the musical score, Ashton collaborated once again with Austrian composer, Michael Frankenberger. The soundtrack featured music from Bob Amos of Front Range. The film was released by Gravitas Ventures in March 2021.