WKU News

A showing of “O Pioneer” at the Capitol Arts Center took audience members across the hills and hollers of West Virginia and into the homes of three “pioneers” as they each navigated their own proverbial wests.

“O Pioneer,” a documentary chronicling the lives of West Virginians during the COVID-19 pandemic, was presented by Potter College of Arts & Letters Cultural Enhancement Series and the Southern Circuit of Independent Filmmakers.

The film followed the lives of modern-day pioneers Tim Hibbs, a blacksmith, Nellie Davis, a seamstress, and James Morley, a Chaplin.

Filmmaker Jonathan Lacocque said he chose to use the motif of the “pioneer” because of its nuance and controversial history.

“Certainly, there’s inspiring things that have come from pioneers and it has led to people believing in themselves or believing in others,” Lacocque said. “But it has also come with, you know, negative costs as well to people and regions.”

The movie followed Hibbs, Davis, and Morley through isolation, health scares, and creative lulls. Eventually, the pioneers overcame their struggles and tamed their metaphorical wilderness.

Melissa Stewart, a Spanish professor, said the movie was beautiful and moving.

“I think that it’s really inspirational to see people following their dreams with lots of problems,” Stewart said.

Audience member Tom Buckberry moved to Bowling Green from West Virginia 19 years ago. He said when he heard about the movie he was initially worried it would focus on negative stereotypes of Appalachians.

“It’s just nice to see something that’s actually got some positivity to it,” Buckberry said.

News Reporter Anthony Clauson can be reached at anthony.clauson994@topper.wku.edu.