Steve Middleton (Class of 2004, 2008), instructor of mass communication at Morehead State, is debuting a new documentary that combines professional wrestling, growing up in Elliott County and long-time friendship
“My Mountain Fiend” is the story of the career of local wrestling legend and Middleton’s friend Jonathan R. Wise (Class of 2006), a.k.a. JR Roc. The film debuts at The Big Sandy Film Festival in Louisa from Aug. 23-24 at The Garden Theater.
Middleton met JR Roc when they were undergraduate students at MSU in 2002. At this time, Roc was already wrestling, and Middleton frequently traveled to see his matches.
Middleton, a documentary filmmaker who focuses on stories of the history, places and people of Appalachia, said Roc called him six months before he started filming and wanted him to go to his farewell match.
“I asked to do one better and document it for a film,” Middleton said. “We can document our long friendship and your pivotal retirement match.”
“My Mountain Fiend” is the first of his documentaries in which Middleton spends a substantial portion of the film in front of the camera. He says this led to him and Roc confronting aging and their struggles of adulthood while reflecting on the unique paths they have both carved as a couple of first-generation college students from rural Appalachia.
“When people read the title and description, I think it is felt to be about pro wrestling,” Middleton said. “The story really deals with friendship that was created between two Appalachian kids that needed each other.”
In addition to The Big Sandy Film Festival, Middleton has submitted “My Mountain Fiend” for consideration at upcoming Kentucky film festivals, such as the Louisville International Film Festival and the River’s Edge International Film Festival in Paducah.
To learn more about the film, contact Middleton at s.middleton@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-9583.
To learn about MSU’s Department of Communication, Media, Art & Design programs, email cml@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2457.
