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The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania documents the odyssey of Hollywood actress Sarah Rush back to her roots as a 16-year-old pageant winner, growing up in Southwestern, PA. Coal Queens is filled with colorful local characters, and is a humorous look at small town America.
The town of Carmichaels (population 556) and its vanishing way of life is a far cry from Hollywood. Coal mining has shaped this area of the country, instilling a strength and pride in its citizens. The film captures the spirit of the community during the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Coal Queen Pageant and the King Coal Festival in August of 2003.
We travel with Sarah back to her hometown and subsequently to the State Theatre in Uniontown, where rehearsals for the pageant are underway. The contestants have won the right to represent each of 14 high schools from the area in the competition, which is comprised of talent, “the impromptu” question and answer session and the evening gown display. Through the lives of the girls and the events surrounding the pageant we learn more about them and the ties that bind the wider community. The film moves between trials of the pageant and the lives of the locals, especially the coal miners, who toil beneath the earth, knowing that the demise of their livelihood is just around the corner.
StarringDirected byWritten byDavid HuntProducer(s)David Hunt, Patricia Heaton, Sarah RushRatingRuntimeGenreNot Rated89 minDocumentary, Family
This movie received the Crystal Heart Award at the Heartland Film Festival, the annual event that honors independent filmmakers. Learn more about the Crystal Heart Award and Heartland Film Festival.
This movie was featured at the annual Heartland Film Festival. Learn more about the Heartland Film Festival. Have you seen this movie? Rate and Review (note you must be logged-in) 0 member reviews