Harlan County USA

Friday, May 1 - Thursday, May 14, 2026

SHOWTIMES AT IFC CENTER

New 4K Restoration! 50th Anniversary!

Friday, May 1 at 9:10: Extended introduction by director Barbara Kopple

Saturday, May 2 at 6:30: Q&A with director Barbara Kopple moderated by Monica Castillo

One of the most assured and influential debuts in American cinema, Kopple’s landmark documentary unflinchingly tracks a grueling, 13-month coal miners’ strike in rural Kentucky. With unprecedented access, Kopple and her crew followed the miners’ sometimes violent clashes with strikebreakers, local police, and company thugs. Featuring a haunting soundtrack—with legendary country and bluegrass artists Hazel Dickens, Merle Travis, Sarah Gunning, and Florence Reece—the film is a heartbreaking record of a community fighting for its lifespan>

“One of the most important films ever made about American labor.” – The Nashville Scene

“Few documentaries rivet you to your seat; this one does. The guts it took to make are up there on the screen.” – Film Comment

“Articulate, indomitable, courageous…the film retains all its power.” – Roger Ebert

Also playing: a new 4K restoration of Kopple’s Oscar-winning AMERICAN DREAM

  • Country USA
  • Year 1976
  • Running Time 103 minutes
  • Format 4K Restoration
  • Distributor Janus
  • Director Barbara Kopple
  • Accessibility Assistive Listening, T-Coil, Closed Captioning

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.