The film October Sky was filmed in TN for weather reasons but the story is based on actual fact about 5 high school boys interested in Rocketry in McDowell County. They were inspired by Russia's sputnik in the 50s. I understand it is a good representation of growing up in a coal mining community. Matewun is a wonderful movie, It is about the organization of coal miners during the hard times in the 20s which led up to what is known as the Mingo County War.