Wrenched

Wrenched, released in 2014, is a thought-provoking documentary that transports the viewers into the revolutionary world of Edward Abbey, an infamous author, and environmental activist from America. Significantly, the documentary uses the life and writings of Abbey as a pivot to delve into the darker side of the American wilderness, spotlighting an overexploitation that lead to the development of eco-sabotage.

The movie notably features Abbey himself, alongside Dave Foreman and Peg Millett, weaving intricate connections between Abbey's anarchistic spirit and the ignition of undue civil unrest, a bubbling up of radical environmental groups in the west. It explores the aftermath of Abbey's influential works, his novel "The Monkey Wrench Gang" in particular, which championed 'monkeywrenching,' a term coined to address unlawfully sabotaging industrial developments that pose irreversible harm to the natural environment.

Wrenched, in addition to offering candid insights into the life of Abbey, also sheds light on his unlikely comrades - Dave Foreman and Peg Millett. Foreman was an integral part of the modern environmental movement who, inspired by Abbey's audacious spirit, co-founded Earth First! - an organisation that pioneered radical action to draw attention to large scale environmental degradation. Millett, a singer, songwriter, and eco-activist, made significant contributions to the same cause, combining music and activism in a compelling call for ecological justice.

Directed by ML Lincoln, Wrenched opens viewers' minds to their exploited surroundings while exploring how this exploitation led to birthing a controversial movement, 'eco-radicalism.' It focuses on the rise of radical environmental activists during the late 20th century, becoming 'warriors of the wilderness.' From tree-spiking, bill-board banditry, to civil disobedience, the film takes the audience through the radical strategies that activists resorted to face the overwhelming force of expanding civilization that threatened the survival of the environment.

Wrenched is a dramatic ride through a political era which witnessed unprecedented clashes between different perspectives on nature and growth. It helps us understand the extremes that people were driven to when they perceived that their voices were not being heard and how those extremes influenced conversation around conservation and development.

Further, the film paints a descriptive picture of how Abbey's 'eco-anarchism' epitomized an unyielding clash between the zeal for industrial development and a fierce determination to protect the environment. The narrative is enriched by archival footage, some of which were shot by Abbey himself, combined with incisive interviews from prominent environmental writers, federal agents, and activists.

Visually captivating, the film does not shy away from presenting the haunting places that Abbey loved, evoking apprehension in the viewer's mind about the rapid transformation of such mesmerizing wilderness into industrial sites. Simultaneously, it also succeeds in invoking a sense of awe for the beauty of nature, generating a connection which Abbey strived to cultivate in his readers and followers.

The director's storytelling approach in Wrenched is not just engaging but also informative. It leaves room for viewers to introspect about the state of their immediate environment, maintaining a subtle yet firm undertone pushing for the need to act. It essentially brings together the voices for nature preservation along a spectrum of non-violent civil disobeying to more aggressive actions, creating a comprehensive perspective on the topic.

Moreover, the film skillfully captures the transformation of Abbey's followers from being mere 'readers' to becoming 'doers.' We witness the metamorphosis of everyday individuals to avant-garde eco-defenders, reminiscent of the characters in Abbey's novels. This transition from fiction to reality blosters the authority of the documentary and adds a riveting authenticity to it.

In conclusion, Wrenched is not just another environmental documentary but a window into the transformational journey of the 'monkey wrenchers.' It narrates an underrepresented tale of eco-defenders who, while involved in questionable tactics, were united by their undying love for the planet. It is a film about the eternal war between corporate power and nature's grandeur, demonstrated by the lives of Abbey, Foreman, and Millett, through profound personal sacrifices, they made to preserve what most revered, the untamed wilderness. For anyone interested in environmental documentaries and activism, Wrenched is indeed an eye-opener that leaves a long-lasting, gut-wrenching impact.