Country Boys

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Country Boys is a 6-hour documentary film centered on Cody Perkins and Chris Johnson, two teenage boys from David, Floyd County, Kentucky, who attend the David School. It covers the 3-year period autumn 1999 - 2002 in which their age ranges 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, on 9-11 Jan 2006.

The overall focus of the film concerns how Cody and Chris cope with the problems of growing up, each having their own unique problems as well. Chris, growing up in a family without strong role models, struggles to motivate himself to do well in school and life. Cody deals with how to find acceptance among his peers.

The film is set in a rural area, and topics of a social and political nature come up as well. Some of these topics include the gun culture, religion (there are many churches in town) and science (a biology teacher and students at the David School are portrayed expressing severe skepticism regarding evolution, particularly with regard to the Bible).

[edit] Cody Perkins

Cody was born on 19 October 1983. When he was 5 months old, his mother killed herself. When he was 12 years old, his father killed Cody's stepmother and then himself. Cody lives now with his step-grandmother.

He has a girlfriend, Jessica Riddle. Both are born again Christians. At one point Cody wants to be a preacher. He plays in a Christian heavy metal band. The film shows Cody getting nipple piercings. At highschool Cody graduates valedictorian.

After the filming: Cody and Jessica were married on 10 April 2004. They both attend college.

[edit] Chris Johnson

Chris lives with father (who cannot work because of medical and drinking problems), his mother, his younger brother Daniel his younger sister Amy. Chris receives Supplemental Security Income for disability, related to a behavior disorder problem he had. At some point he worries that he is considered too healthy to get it anymore. Anyway it will stop when he turns 18.

Later his mother moves out. Chris starts working at Taco Bell after school and in weekends, but stops when combining school and work gets too heavy. Later he gets a delivery job at Little Caesars but stops (or does not start) because his car breaks down.

He passes his GED and wants to go to college, but fails his SAT.

After the filming: Chris has had various jobs, but still hopes to go to college.