Crude (film)
Encyclopedia
Crude is a 2009 American documentary film
directed and produced by Joe Berlinger
. It follows a two year portion of an ongoing class action lawsuit against the Chevron Corporation
in Ecuador
.
following the drilling of the Lago Agrio oil field
, a case also known as the “Amazon Chernobyl
”.
The plaintiffs of the class action lawsuit are 30,000 Ecuadorians living in the Amazonian rainforest
they claim has been polluted by the oil industry. In addition to the legal struggle, Crude shows interviews from both sides, and explores the influence of media support, celebrity activism, the power of multinational corporations, the shifting power in Ecuadorian politics, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures on the case.
The film concludes with the prediction that the legal case will not be resolved for another decade or so.
sided with a petition submitted by Chevron and ruled that Berlinger turn over more than 600 hours of original footage created throughout during the film's production. Chevron had sought to subpoena
the footage as part of the ongoing lawsuit discussed in the film. Berlinger's legal team has maintained that the footage is protected by reporters' privilege
and has indicated it intends to appeal the court's decision.
, AlterNet
, and by Howard Zinn
.
As of 23 March 2010, the movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes
gave Crude a 95% "fresh" rating (100% for "top critics").
and had its theatrical premiere on September 9, 2009, at the IFC Center
in New York City
. Many more cities and dates are scheduled as well.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed and produced by Joe Berlinger
Joe Berlinger
Joseph "Joe" Berlinger is an American documentary film-maker who, in collaboration with Bruce Sinofsky, has created such films as Paradise Lost about the West Memphis 3, Brother's Keeper, Some Kind of Monster, and Crude....
. It follows a two year portion of an ongoing class action lawsuit against the Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
.
Synopsis
The film follows the progress during 2006 and 2007 of a $27 billion legal case brought against the Chevron CorporationChevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
following the drilling of the Lago Agrio oil field
Lago Agrio oil field
The Lago Agrio oil field is an oil-rich area in the Ecuadorian province of Sucumbíos, discovered in the 1960s. The Lago Agrio field is known internationally for the serious ecological problems that oil development has created there, including water pollution, soil contamination, deforestation and...
, a case also known as the “Amazon Chernobyl
Chernobyl
Chernobyl or Chornobyl is an abandoned city in northern Ukraine, in Kiev Oblast, near the border with Belarus. The city had been the administrative centre of the Chernobyl Raion since 1932....
”.
The plaintiffs of the class action lawsuit are 30,000 Ecuadorians living in the Amazonian rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
they claim has been polluted by the oil industry. In addition to the legal struggle, Crude shows interviews from both sides, and explores the influence of media support, celebrity activism, the power of multinational corporations, the shifting power in Ecuadorian politics, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures on the case.
The film concludes with the prediction that the legal case will not be resolved for another decade or so.
Interviews
- Juan Diego Perez
- Pocho Alvarez
- Joe BerlingerJoe BerlingerJoseph "Joe" Berlinger is an American documentary film-maker who, in collaboration with Bruce Sinofsky, has created such films as Paradise Lost about the West Memphis 3, Brother's Keeper, Some Kind of Monster, and Crude....
(producer of Crude) - Michael Bonfiglio
- Sting (activist, artist and co-founder of Rainforest Foundation Fund)
- Trudie StylerTrudie StylerTrudie Styler is an English actress and producer. She is the second wife of the musician Sting.-Life and career:Styler was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. She attended North Bromsgrove High School, where one of her teachers was Clifford T. Ward...
(activist, producer, and co-founder of Rainforest Foundation Fund with her husband Sting) - Adolfo Callejas (Ecuadorian lawyer on behalf of Chevron-Texaco)
- Steve Donziger (American lawyer on behalf of the plaintiffs)
- Pablo FajardoPablo FajardoPablo Fajardo Mendoza is an Ecuadorian native of Cofán descent, who was raised in extreme poverty. With the help of the Roman Catholic Church, he put himself through law school...
(Ecuadorian lawyer on behalf of the plaintiffs) - Diego Larrea (Ecuadorian Lawyer on behalf of Chevron-Texaco)
- Rafael CorreaRafael CorreaRafael Vicente Correa Delgado born is the President of the Republic of Ecuador and was the president pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations. An economist educated in Ecuador, Belgium and the United States, he was elected President in late 2006 and took office in January 2007...
(President of the Republic of Ecuador) - Sara McMillen (Chief Environmental Scientist for Chevron)
- Ricardo Reis Veiga (Corporate counsel for Chevron Latin America)
Subpoena of footage
On May 6, 2010 federal judge Lewis KaplanLewis A. Kaplan
Lewis A. Kaplan is a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York. He took senior status on February 1, 2011....
sided with a petition submitted by Chevron and ruled that Berlinger turn over more than 600 hours of original footage created throughout during the film's production. Chevron had sought to subpoena
Subpoena
A subpoena is a writ by a government agency, most often a court, that has authority to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure. There are two common types of subpoena:...
the footage as part of the ongoing lawsuit discussed in the film. Berlinger's legal team has maintained that the footage is protected by reporters' privilege
Reporters' Privilege
Reporters' privilege in the United States, is a "reporter's protection under constitutional or statutory law, from being compelled to testify about confidential information or sources"...
and has indicated it intends to appeal the court's decision.
Critical response
Crude has been reviewed in the New York Times, in LA WeeklyLA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
, AlterNet
AlterNet
AlterNet, a project of the non-profit Independent Media Institute, is a progressive/liberal activist news service. Launched in 1998, AlterNet now claims a readership of over 3 million visitors per month .AlterNet publishes original content as well as journalism from a wide variety of other sources...
, and by Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
.
As of 23 March 2010, the movie review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
gave Crude a 95% "fresh" rating (100% for "top critics").
Accolades
Winner- National Board of Review: Best Documentaries of the Year, 2009.
- One World Media Awards: Best International Documentary, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- Independent Film Festival of Boston: Grand Jury Prize, Documentary, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- Yale Environmental Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, Documentary, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival: World Wildlife Fund Documentary Award, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- AFI Dallas International Film Festival: Current Energy Filmmaker Award, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- Big Sky Documentary Film Festival: Best Editing, Programmer's Choice, Joe Berlinger, 2009.
- Nashville Film FestivalNashville Film FestivalThe Nashville Film Festival , held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, is the oldest running film festival in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. In 2009, Nashville Film Festival received close to 2000 submissions from 86 countries, programmed nearly 260 films and had an attendance...
: Human Spirit Award, Joe Berlinger, 2009. - 27e Festival International du Film d’Environnement: Grand Prize, 2009.
- Santa Cruz Film Festival: EarthVision Environmental Film Award, 2009.
- Reel Earth Film Festival New Zealand: Reel Earth Award, International Features, 2009.
- Mexico International Film Festival: Best Documentary Film, 2009.
- Docúpolis International Documentary Film Festival: OFF Docúpolis Award, 2009.
- Traverse City Film Festival: Special Jury Prize for Environmental Documentary, 2009.
- Puerto Vallarta Film Festival: Elizabeth Taylor Humanitarian Award, 2009.
- Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival: Lifetime Achievement Award in Documentary, 2009.
- Red Nation Film Festival: Brando Award, 2009.
- Jacksonville Film Festival: Shining Light Award, 2009.
- Amazonas Film Festival: Audience Award, Documentary, 2009.
- Cinema for Peace: International Green Film Award, 2010.
Release
Crude premiered on January 18, 2009 at the Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
and had its theatrical premiere on September 9, 2009, at the IFC Center
IFC Center
IFC Center is an art house movie theater in Greenwich Village, New York City in the United States of America. It is located at 323 Sixth Avenue, on the former site of the Waverly Theater, which was itself a well known art house movie theater...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Many more cities and dates are scheduled as well.
Film festivals (partial list)
- Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film FestivalThe Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, United States - San Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film FestivalSan Francisco International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the Americas. Organized by the San Francisco Film Society, the International is held each spring for two weeks, presenting an average of 150 films from over 50 countries...
, United States - SILVERDOCSSilverdocsAFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival is an American international film festival created by the American Film Institute and Discovery Channel. It is held every year in Silver Spring, Maryland near Washington, D.C.. Started in 2003, the festival is held for eight days in June at...
: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival, United States - Sydney Film FestivalSydney Film FestivalThe Sydney Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the Australian city of Sydney and is held over 12 days in June. The competitive film festival draws international and local attention, with films being showcased in several venues across the city centre and includes features,...
, Australia - One World Film FestivalOne World Film FestivalOne World is the biggest human rights film festival in the world, held annually in Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic. Established in 1999 by the Czech NGO People in Need, the presents over 100 documentary films during nine days in Spring from around the world...
, Czech Republic - Thessaloniki Documentary FestivalThessaloniki Documentary FestivalThe Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – Images of the 21st Century is a film festival specialising in documentary films which takes place every March in Thessaloniki and is affiliated with the International Thessaloniki Film Festival.-History:...
, Greece - Independent Film Festival of BostonIndependent Film Festival of BostonThe Independent Film Festival of Boston is a not for profit film festival in Boston, Massachusetts.- History :The Independent Film Festival of Boston was created in 2003 by the non-profit organization the Independent Film Society of Boston. The festival takes place each April in the Boston area's...
, United States - Cleveland International Film FestivalCleveland International Film FestivalThe Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
, United States - True/False Film FestivalTrue/False Film FestivalThe True/False Film Festival is an annual documentary film festival that takes place in Columbia, Missouri. The festival usually happens on a weekend toward the end of February or the beginning of March, with films being shown from Thursday night to Sunday night...
, United States - Nashville Film FestivalNashville Film FestivalThe Nashville Film Festival , held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, is the oldest running film festival in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. In 2009, Nashville Film Festival received close to 2000 submissions from 86 countries, programmed nearly 260 films and had an attendance...
, United States - Newport Beach Film FestivalNewport Beach Film FestivalThe Newport Beach Film Festival is a film festival in the United States held in Newport Beach, California, that showcases more than 350 films to more than 30,000 attendees annually....
, United States - Little Rock Film FestivalLittle Rock Film FestivalThe Little Rock Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas each spring. Based in the historic Little Rock River Market District, home to the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library, the Little Rock Film Festival has showcased the best in Narrative,...
, United States - Jacksonville Film FestivalJacksonville Film FestivalThe Jacksonville Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2002, the festival screens dozens of the hundreds of films submitted for its consideration...
, United States - Sarasota Film FestivalSarasota Film FestivalThe Sarasota Film Festival has been held annually since 1999 in Sarasota, Florida. The festival is held in April and has become one of the top ten independent festivals in North America...
, United States - Lake Placid Film FestivalLake Placid Film FestivalThe Lake Placid Film Festival is an annual Film Festival held in Lake Placid, New York. The Festival, previously known as the Lake Placid Film Forum, has played host to famous film personalities such as directors Paul Schrader and Martin Scorsese...
, United States - Sidewalk Moving Picture FestivalSidewalk Moving Picture FestivalThe Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is an annual film festival scheduled over one weekend in late September in Birmingham, Alabama, since 1999...
, United States
External links
- Joe Berlinger interview at Sundance Channel
- Crude court order video report at Democracy Now!Democracy Now!Democracy Now! and its staff have received several journalism awards, including the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television; the George Polk Award for its 1998 radio documentary Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria's Oil Dictatorship, on the Chevron Corporation and the deaths of...