Doc Star of the Month: Walter Burrell, 'The Gospel of Eureka'

Following on the heels of last month’s “Doc Star of the Month,” Ashley York, the lead character and co-director of hillbilly, Documentary is pleased to present for February yet another face of flyover-country diversity. Walter Burrell is the proud owner of a drinking hole in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, that he lovingly refers to as the “hillbilly Studio 54” in Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s The Gospel of Eureka. (And which, though it hosts weekly drag shows, Burrell is quick to point out is not a “gay bar,” since it welcomes everyone regardless of sexuality; he’s staunchly opposed to “gay segregation.”)

Documentary spoke with Burrell about appearing in Palmieri and Mosher’s in-depth exploration of his town, a place where deeply devout Christians (including Burrell himself) and those in the LGBTQ community live together in relative harmony, focusing on their shared common values rather than anything that might drive them apart.

To read my interview visit Documentary magazine.