Gasland

Gasland, a hard-hitting environmental documentary from 2010, is directed by American filmmaker, Josh Fox. This insightful piece delves into the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as 'fracking,' a method of gas extraction prevalent in the United States. The film includes appearances by notable figures such as Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States, and folk icon Pete Seeger, solidifying the gravity and immediacy of the issues tackled.

Gasland starts on a personal note, set off when Fox receives a letter offering him a substantial sum of money for the rights to drill for natural gas on his property in Pennsylvania. Rather than making an immediate decision, Fox embarks on a fact-finding mission to understand the implications of hydraulic fracking. What follows is a cross-country road trip, where he visits communities impacted by fracking, exploring the social, environmental, and health impacts caused by this process.

The film aims to reveal the untold stories of everyday Americans, whose lives and communities have been profoundly impacted by fracking. It's through these first-hand accounts that Fox sheds light on the profound water contamination, health problems, and environmental degradation associated with this drilling method.

One of the film's most powerful scenes involves residents lighting their tap water on fire, a shocking visual symbol of the effects of water contamination from nearby fracking operations. Fox interviews local residents, revealing a litany of health issues they are suffering from, including headaches, dizziness, and neurological damage, supposedly resulting from the hazardous chemicals used in the fracking process that find their way into their homes and bodies.

Gasland also interweaves its human-centered narrative with expert interviews and archival footage. These sections show the political and corporate aspects contributing to the unchecked growth of fracking. Notably, the film examines the Halliburton-developed drilling technology and exposes how it was made exempt from United States environmental regulations.

At the heart of the film is the deeply personal narrative of Fox himself and his journey from ignorance to disgusted enlightenment. His central question, "Is fracking safe?" becomes less of an exploration and more of a rhetorical question as the film progresses, with mounting evidence suggesting a negative answer.

The film's style is engagingly subversive, often deploying humor against the dark backdrop of its subject matter. Fox's often self-deprecating voiceover provides an element of levity whilst also ensuring the audience feels his increasing frustration and shock. There's also a certain offbeat eccentricity to Fox's approach which maintains interest, including his implementation of a banjo soundtrack and some artsy detours.

With Gasland, Fox sets out to ask important questions about the human toll and ecological impact of energy extraction within the United States. What he finds is a potentially catastrophic environmental scenario and a raft of state agencies and companies determined to protect their interests by downplaying or outright denying the detrimental effects of their operations.

The film achieves a sense of urgency and an intimate understanding of the domestic consequences of fracking, particularly in the rural landscapes and small towns of America. It paints a morose picture of the human suffering and destructive environmental effects caused by the relentless pursuit for energy.

Praised for its investigative journalism, the film confronts and demystifies the multi-layered issue of hydraulic fracking. It is a brave endeavor, serving both as a warning and a call to arms against the unchecked growth of fracking. Its lack of unequivocal answers and the hard-hitting critique of long-established entities make it an essential viewing for those interested in environmental conservation, public health, and the intersection between resource extraction and corporate manipulation.

Notably, Gasland received critical acclaim for its raw and revelatory content, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming and nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2011.

To summarize, Gasland is a deeply moving and incisive documentary that provides a human perspective on the devastating implications of hydraulic fracking. Grounded in Josh Fox's curiosity and humanity, the film effectively portrays the harrowing impact on communities caught in the crossfire of America's gas drilling boom, creating a powerful and engaging argument that forces viewers to question the costs of their consumption.