Gasland

2011/USA/107 mins/Dir. Josh Fox
Cast: Josh Fox, Dick Cheney and Pete Seeger

When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey  uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at this year’s Academy Awards.

The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of “fracking” or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a “Saudia Arabia of natural gas”. But is fracking safe?

A recently drilled Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. But despite documented health risks and environmental impact “fracking” is spreading across the globe. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.”

‘The 21st Century’s answer to Erin Brokovich, with a banjo’ Little White Lies

Winner: Special Jury Prize Documentary 2010 Sundance Film Festival

Presented as part of the Co-operative’s Toxic Fuels campaign.