Country Boys
| Country Boys | |
|---|---|
| Written by | David Sutherland |
| Directed by | David Sutherland |
| Starring | Chris Johnson Cody Perkins Jessica Riddle David Stükenberg |
| Theme music composer | Seth Justman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | David Sutherland Erin Anguish Sarah Moughty Michael Sullivan Sharon Tiller |
| Cinematography |
Bill Arnold David Miers Joe Seamans |
| Editor(s) |
Steve Audette Yu Ying Chou Sean F. O'Gara |
| Release | |
| Original release |
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Country Boys is a 6-hour documentary film centered on Cody Perkins and Chris Johnson, two teenage boys from David, Kentucky. They attended the David School, a non-denominational alternative high school with a mission to serve underprivileged and struggling students.
The film covers the 3-year period from 1999 to 2002 in which the boys' ages range from 15 to 18. It was directed by David Sutherland. It was a three-part edition of Frontline on PBS, with each part running for two hours, originally broadcast in January 2006.
The focus of the film is Cody and Chris' struggles with the problems of growing up in a rural, relatively impoverished environment. In addition, both boys have unique challenges. Chris, growing up in a family without strong role models and parents who limit him in a variety of ways, struggles to motivate himself to do well in school and life. Cody deals with how to find acceptance among his peers and reconcile his Christianity with his alternative lifestyle.
The film is set in rural Kentucky. As a result, the film addresses a wide range of topics. Some of these topics include the gun culture, religion and science (a biology teacher and students at the David School are portrayed dismissing evolution and misinterpreting scientific ideas).
Cody was born on 19 October 1983, in Lexington, Kentucky. When he was 5 months old, his mother killed herself. When he was 12 years old, his father killed Cody's stepmother (his 7th wife) and then himself. Cody then left his life in the city to live in the country with his step-grandmother, Liz McGuire.
At the time of the filming, Cody had a girlfriend, Jessica Riddle. Both were born again Christians. At one point Cody wanted to be a preacher. In the documentary he played in a Christian heavy metal band, Seven Rise Up. The film shows Cody getting nipple piercings to add to his many other piercings, later having discussions with his teachers and storefront church pastor, and bonding with Jessica and her parents in the living room of their home. Cody graduated valedictorian of his small class of seven at the David School.
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