Doc Star of the Month: Ashley York, 'hillbilly'

Kentucky-born, LA-residing filmmaker Ashley York (Tig) has devoted a good chunk of her career to tackling issues of gender inequality and advocating for feminist causes. So in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, the choice of supporting a glass-ceiling breaker over a pussy-grabber came as a no-brainer. What she couldn’t quite wrap her head around was the equal MAGA enthusiasm shown by her strong-willed Granny Shelby back home in coal country.

Hence the time was right for York and her co-director, Sally Rubin, to pick up the camera, leave the coastal echo chamber, and embark on a six-state journey of asking questions and truly listening — and in the process knock down some devastating media stereotypes (from Deliverance to Buckwild) about Appalachia, while taking a deep dive into the region’s multifaceted, complicated roots.

Documentary was thrilled to catch up with the co-director and star of hillbilly, awarded Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, prior to the film’s January 8th digital release.

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