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euler010
Reviews
FrackNation (2013)
One of the most powerful documentaries I've ever seen
Before this documentary was released, I had been hearing a lot about Josh Fox's movie Gasland; it had been creating a lot of buzz. It was my plan to eventually watch it. The week that Fracknation was first broadcast on TV, I was able to record it along with Gasland. I watched them back-to-back that week. (Note: there are some spoilers in this review.) After first watching Gasland, I was disturbed by the powerful imagery of what these unassuming people had to endure as a result of the frac'ing taking place near their homes. The claims that Fox made seemed to be well substantiated. Though his movie is a little slow and somber, it leaves a powerful impression on the viewer.
I then watched Fracknation. I knew that it was a rebuttal to Gasland, and I was wondering how its producers were going to be able to account for the seemingly overwhelming amount of data showing frac'ing to be harmful. Boy were they able to! Point by point (co-director) McAleer was able to dismantle Fox's claims. The stories of the citizens of Dimock, Pa were drastically different from what Fox would have you believe. The findings of the EPA and the state environmental agency coroaborated this as well. It seems as though nearly all of the "evidence" Fox gave was fabricated. I realized that Fox wasn't just wrong about frac'ing, he was lying. Few seem to be calling him on his lies either.
Fracknation is an inspiring movie if you care about ideas and the truth. Seeing how the first director uses propaganda to sell his message and the second pursues the truth is a powerful lesson in today's society. It shows us just how easy it can be to sell lies, and it reminds us how we need to always be skeptical when accepting assumed truths. Given the importance of energy as a means for human life, there are few documentaries more important than this one. I have little doubt that Fracknation will significantly change the national discourse on frac'ing. Go see it!