Testimonials
"In my entire career I can only remember seeing a few films powerful enough to bring me to tears. One of them is the 2021 film "Fire in the Heartland: The Kent State Story." It is an absolutely stunning work and an essential story of the story of the student Civil Rights and the Anti-War protests in America and the May 4, 1970 shootings of students at Kent State University"
— MITCHELL BLOCK, MULTIPLE ACADEMY AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY FILM DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, FOUNDER DIRECTCINEMA LTD FILMS, ENDOWED PROFESSOR IN DOCUMENTARY CINEMA, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
“For the first 20 years, (Kent State administrators) did everything to bury (the memory of the shootings), and now they have moved toward embracing it.”
— THOMAS GRACE, AUTHOR OF KENT STATE: DEATH AND DISSENT IN THE LONG SIXTIES
“Fire in the Heartland is a ‘profound look at a critical time in our nation’s history…. Truly an excellent documentary. I think every student should see it, especially anyone in a social justice course.”
— DAUNE ROBINSON, ROBINSON’S REVIEWS
“The Jackson State shootings didn’t receive close to the attention from the media that Kent State did.”
JUAN GONZALEZ, DEMOCRACY NOW!
“The Kent State shooting was a very dramatic and terrible event and deserves to be remembered as one of those shameful things in American history.”
HOWARD ZINN, HISTORIAN
“Are the deaths of four students from four decades ago still relevant? Coming on the heels of the site of the shootings recent addition to the National Register of Historic Places, Fire in the Heartland makes a convincing case that the answer is yes. Most documentaries on this subject give the impression that the shootings came out of thin air.”
— GEORGE PORLOCK, THE MAN FROM PORLOCK. BLOG SITE
“A potential Award-Winner From a Fiery Past” “The film puts the shooting into a historical content that has been missing during the past explanations of that day. It opens with the premise that the shootings did not happen just by accident and they may have even been an inevitable conclusion to a very troubling time. My vote: Excellent.”
— MARTHA SPEAKS OUT, CLEVELAND FILM FESTIVAL
In Memorium
Alan Canfora
August 21, 1949 - December 20, 2020
We at Fire River Pictures mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Kent State Hero, Teacher, Archivist and Keeper of the Flame at Kent State.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, John Filo, called his picture of Alan Canfora waving a black flag as the National Guard leveled their weapons at him on May 4th, 1970 "Student Protest in America."
That is what he was that day and today-- the spirit of "Student Protest in America," and a citizen of courage, intellect, and commitment to peace and justice.
We are proud to have known you, Alan, and to tell your story and celebrate your life.
- Daniel Miller and all of us at Fire River Pictures
John Lewis
February 21, 1940 - July 17, 2020
The Fire River Films family mourns the passing of our great hero and leader Congressman John Lewis. He made the world a better place. He made the world community of all of God’s children a beloved community. May he Rest In Peace. May we live up to his dream. May we become one house. John Lewis was a friend of Kent State and the voice he raised on behalf of those who stood up for freedom and died for equality and justice will be heard forever.