colin spoelman

Coming Down the Mountain is the feature-length version of the award-winning short film. Originally conceived as a feature, the full-length script was nominated as a finalist for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab in 2002. Building on the story in the short, the feature follows the entire Skidmore family over the course of a single day, as their lives intersect and diverge in their small mountain community.

An intimate narrative that explores not only prescription drug abuse, but also themes of conflict between generations, the influence of contemporary culture on the conservative mountain way of life, and religious integrity, the script is an often quiet meditation on isolation and missed connections. Sometimes funny and often sad, the script describes family life in a novel way that resonates past the mountains of Kentucky.

The feature could be made with a tiny amount of money in film terms, building on the groundwork already laid by the short in terms of cast, crew, locations, and other resources. Like Stephen Soderburgh’s Bubble (filmed in nearby West Virgnia), the film could benefit from indigenous actors, simple production values, and a stripped down production process, possibly incorporating digital technology or even existing footage from the short. Given the success of the short, the script has already proven its credibility in the festival marketplace and beyond.

The full script is available by email.