Participation Type
Performance
Session Title
Session 7.18 Music
Presentation #1 Title
For the Love of Barbie Allen: A Modern Child Ballad
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The short film, For the Love of Barbie Allen: A Modern Child Ballad, is the modern retelling of one of the most widespread Child Ballads, Child 84: “Barbara Allen.” Sweet William becomes Will and Barbara Allen becomes Barbie Allen as the two undergo the breakdown of what was once a strong, intimate relationship. In less than ten days, the film was conceived, written, filmed, and edited by University of Kentucky students. Directed and written by Appalachian filmmakers Phillip Barnett and Zachary Curry, For the Love of Barbie Allen examines the human condition and the destructive power of love and jealousy. While parts of the story are altered, the core of the ballad rings true and is clearly still relevant. Though modern American relationships are quite distinct from their Scots-Irish ancestors, one thing will always remain constant: true love has the ability to build a person up and tear them down in the same breath.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Phillip Barnett, hailing from Louisa, KY, is a junior Communication major at the University of Kentucky. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of AppalArts Magazine.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Zachary Curry is a freshman at University of Kentucky in the Undergraduate Studies program. He is from Louisa, KY and is a writer for AppalArts Magazine.
For the Love of Barbie Allen: A Modern Child Ballad
The short film, For the Love of Barbie Allen: A Modern Child Ballad, is the modern retelling of one of the most widespread Child Ballads, Child 84: “Barbara Allen.” Sweet William becomes Will and Barbara Allen becomes Barbie Allen as the two undergo the breakdown of what was once a strong, intimate relationship. In less than ten days, the film was conceived, written, filmed, and edited by University of Kentucky students. Directed and written by Appalachian filmmakers Phillip Barnett and Zachary Curry, For the Love of Barbie Allen examines the human condition and the destructive power of love and jealousy. While parts of the story are altered, the core of the ballad rings true and is clearly still relevant. Though modern American relationships are quite distinct from their Scots-Irish ancestors, one thing will always remain constant: true love has the ability to build a person up and tear them down in the same breath.
