The Moody College of Communication Center for Global Change and Media recently screened “Impossible Town,” which follows the story of Dr. Ayne Amjad, who dedicated years to relocating the people of Minden, a southern West Virginia town plagued by cancer-causing chemicals. The Daily Texan sat down with co-directors Meg Griffiths and Scott Faris to discuss their acclaimed documentary.
The Daily Texan: Can you describe the process of bringing “Impossible Town” to life?
Scott Faris: Meg and I have been working together as documentary storytellers for well over 10 years, and one of the things that we realized really early on in our collaborative relationship is that when we have the opportunity to tell stories in places that feel like home to either one of us, the resulting work is that much more poignant, powerful and meaningful.
DT: What pivotal moments in each of your lives and careers led to the creation of “Impossible Town”?
Meg Griffiths: Everything started here at UT. I always knew I wanted to be a newspaper reporter with a focus on photography … but (in) my very last semester, I took a documentary class (with) Donna DeCesare, and I really enjoyed (it), but I was really focused on my journey getting to the newspaper and being a photographer.
I always had in the back of my mind that I would make a documentary film, a feature. Finally, the chance came when Scott and I started our company. I don’t think that I ever would have been a filmmaker had it not been for that one class I took.
DT: Meg, (as a UT alumna), what do you hope students take away from seeing this documentary, both professionally and personally?
MG: I never would have thought, when I think back (to) 20 years ago at UT, that I would have pursued a successful career in journalism. Being open about opportunities is really important, especially in this landscape.
DT: Scott, I read that you desire to tell stories about this often misunderstood or misrepresented state. How do you hope this story inspires students who have similar storytelling aspirations?
Scott Faris: Great storytelling, both fiction and nonfiction, comes from a combination of not just technical ability but also personal conviction, as well as a sort of artistic lens, which I know we’re not accustomed to thinking about documentary storytelling in association.
I would also encourage people to take away from the story that a story does not need to have a happy ending in order to inspire meaningful change and help the outside world view a community that you are trying to represent differently and more charitably. I think we often operate under the delusion that we need to tell stories that sugarcoat hard truths because we feel protective of vulnerable communities.
DT: How did working on “Impossible Town” shape your perspectives on documentary filmmaking and journalism?
MG: Going into any situation, you want to question your own motives and your own thinking about why you are pursuing a story. (Try) to remain open-minded about how we define right and wrong, how we think about historical truths, and how that translates to where we are today.
