Maine Public TV Air Times:
Thur., May 3 at 10:00 pm
Sat., May 5 at 11:00 am
For nearly a century, the paper mill in Bucksport, Maine served as the biggest and most important regional employer. This changed one winter day, when the plant shuttered, shedding over 600 well-paying blue collar manufacturing jobs.
Papertown illustrates the impact of the mill’s closing on several families—and a close-knit community forced to confront a transforming economic landscape as a way of life disappears.
Many entered the mill’s workforce immediately after high school, or military service. Some workers have never filled out a resume. Now, they find themselves far short of reaching retirement, and facing an economy where it can be a struggle to piece together a living wage.
Papertown serves as an opportunity to meet neighbors we wouldn’t otherwise know, and lay bare the bifurcation of a nation and the true costs of a winner-take-all economy. As things change, what is gained and lost? And does it have to be this way?
For more viewing options and information about the production visit the Sam Russell Films website.
Produced by Sam Russell.