Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Ground Level Blog
Dave Peters

Central conflict in ‘Medora:’ How to change and stay the same

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

How does a small town struggle with change and still hang on to what it values from the past? Davy Rothbart says that's the central conflict in "Medora," a documentary film he co-directed that explores the role a tiny high school basketball team plays in its town.

Rothbart joined MPR News reporter Jennifer Vogel and me this morning for an online chat about the film because of the similar themes between it and much of the reporting we've done at Ground Level. The film is being shown Nov. 12 at the Lagoon in Minneapolis.

"There is definitely a struggle between progress and holding onto one's heritage going on in Medora, and towns like it," Rothbart said. "Progress is inevitable. But letting go of the past isn't easy."

Rothbart and c0-director Andrew Cohn spent seven and a half months in the small Indiana town, watching the basketball team struggle but also delving into the lives of some of its players and into the choices they were facing.

He said they made the movie because "There are thousands of towns like Medora all across the country. Andrew and I don't pretend to have all the answers, but we thought asking the question: 'What is lost when towns like Medora fade away?' is an important one to ask."

Check out the full conversation here.