Jan. 2, 2013

Promised Land is a must see film. 

The story revolves around a global gas company getting leases to drill for natural gas and the subsequent fracking in a small farming community.

From Rotten Tomatoes:

"Promised Land is the new contemporary drama directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk). Matt Damon plays Steve Butler, an ace corporate salesman who is sent along with his partner, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand), to close a key rural town in his company's expansion plans. With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company's offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Hal Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (John Krasinski), as well as the interest of a local woman (Rosemarie DeWitt). Promised Land explores America at the crossroads where big business and the strength of small-town community converge."

I loved the film but there are numerous reviews of the film, just Google it. There are objections that the film was financed in part by Abu Dabi. There are some who say the science of fracking was not sufficiently robust and others who would consider it a polemic on the evils of gas drilling.  I think this  fictional story is about the very real conflict within communities confronted with decisions about money for the present verses the probability of environmental damage in the future.

From the headline in the Huffington Post, Promised Land' Film Digs Into Fracking Debate, there is no doubt that this film will raise controversy.

The subject of the film is one that people in the environmental community are well acquainted.   However, it is shocking to me that there are so many people who claim not to know about fracking and the objections to the practice.  Perhaps If the film is seen by the general public, it will have provided a service to the environmental movement.  So, tell you acquaintances this is a must see.

I really liked the film. 


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