"Troublesome Creek" is one of the most personal films I have ever seen--and a MAJOR departure from the typical sort of film seen on "The American Experience". It has been shown both as an episode of the show AND a movie in and of itself. In some ways, it's like a home movie and in others it's like a documentary showing a vanishing piece of American life. And, although the film has a film slow portions and is about very ordinary people without any glitz, it's amazing how compelling the story is and how the audience is pulled into caring about these people.

The film is about the Jordan family in Iowa. With rising costs and the bank at their heels, an older couple decide to sell out and move into town. They just need to be sure to earn enough from the sale to pay off the bank--that way their son will be able to farm the land after they retire. 

"Troublesome Creek" is interesting because the film was made by their daughter, Jeanne Jordan--a woman who had previously worked on a few other projects for PBS--including "Frontline" and "Eyes on the Prize". She did a great job overall--making it very interesting and very good. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that her analogy about the cowboys and the old west seemed vague and ill-defined. Still, a nice little film that manages not to be boring!

The biography, or "biopic", is a genre that portrays the life story of a real person, often a notable individual or historical figure. They aim to provide a depiction of the subject's personal history, achievements, challenges, and impact on society.

Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

The history genre features recounting and analyzing past events, societies, cultures, and historical figures. This genre aims to provide insights into the development of civilizations, the causes and consequences of historical events, and the impact of individuals and ideas on the course of history.

Struggling to keep the family farm in the family.

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Troublesome Creek: A Midwestern

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