Mental Filmness 2023 Virtual Festival

Shorts Block No. 4

Expired November 6, 2023 3:00 AM
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“Muckville” examines the ongoing mental health and suicide epidemic on American farms through the eyes of a 4th-generation onion farmer in New York’s Black Dirt region.

Chris Pawelski almost ran out of time.


As a 4th-generation onion farmer on the post-glacial black dirt of Goshen, NY, Chris is just one of millions of farmers in America facing the unnecessarily Sisyphusian task of earning a living. "Muckville" takes us on a journey through time on the Pawelski farm, from Polish immigration in the early 20th century, through the onset of climate change-driven crop failures in the 1990s and subsequent pitfalls of US agriculture policy, to Chris's resulting existential crisis and suicidal ideation. This short documentary provides rare insight into the ongoing mental health epidemic on American farms, and paints a delicate and emotional portrait of resilience and love amid unbeatable odds.

  • Year
    2023
  • Runtime
    19 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Genre
    Documentary, Mental Health, Agriculture
  • Director
    Jeff Mertz
  • Cinematographer
    Jeff Mertz
  • Editor
    Jeff Mertz