Barbara Kopple

American Dream Review

American Dream Review

About a decade and a half after producing and directing one of the most powerful and influential documentaries of all time, Barbara Kopple returned to the world of workers’ rights for American Dream. It’s an interesting title that immediately tells the viewer that this film won’t be as tied down to a specific place as its […]

Why Harlan County U.S.A. Is Essential

Why Harlan County U.S.A. Is Essential

I had a chance to choose a film for a week of coverage at The Cinessential and went with one of my favorite documentaries of all time, Barbara Kopple’s Harlan County U.S.A. In my latest piece, our opening statement for the week, I outline why it’s important to include documentaries in the “canon” and what […]

Running From Crazy Review

Running From Crazy Review

RATING: (3 STARS) Early on in Barbara Kopple‘s latest documentary, Running From Crazy, actress Mariel Hemingway takes the podium to speak at an event promoting suicide prevention. She acknowledges that she’s lost seven family members to suicide including, most famously, her grandfather Ernest. Before she gets to the seventh name, however, she pauses, and Kopple […]