While the acceleration of hate-fueled violence is happening across the country and around the globe — this is a personal story anchored in our community.
Contrary to popular perceptions that dangerous content is confined to dark corners of the Internet, it is hiding in plain sight on mainstream platforms frequented by children and teens. Meanwhile adult, organized white supremacist groups in the region are accelerating, drawing inspiration and strategies from European fascist movements of the 1920-30s, which is distilled into youth-centered memetic content reimagined for an opioid traumatized, post-industrial Appalachia.
The documentary is intended to help society confront increasing risks to youth and targeted community members and to understanding the systemic nature of the problem rooted in our times, our tech and our history.
Cinematography and photography features work by media makers in Appalachia, including Tyler Channel, Joel Beeson, Emily Pelland, Curren Sheldon, Jesse Wright and Rob Simmons. Animation sequences are by Brad Stalnaker, video artist Kid Kadian and Tristan Zammit
Raised by Wolves was shot on location in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky.
Scenes also include filming shot on location in Poland and New Zealand.
Interviews were shot in West Virginia, Washington D.C., Portland, Oregon, San Francisco and Berkeley, California, New York City and Brooklyn, New York.
The documentary includes original music composed by Appalachian musicians, including rapper Geonovah from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, Nothing & Everything from Alabama, and Soft Pain from Ashland, Kentucky.
Programming and research accompanying the documentary also address youth data privacy risks, mis/disinformation targeting, exposure to violence and other harmful content. We take a solutions-oriented approach and collaborate with a generous network of researchers, journalists, technologists, and affected community members to document and address these risks.
We will be working with our community partners to host public screenings of the documentary, community conversations and to provide trainings for parents, educators, mental health professionals, community leaders and other concerned citizens. Sign up here to learn more about upcoming events in your community.