PopSyndicate.com

In 2004 documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger raised a curtain on the band Metallica in Some Kind of Monster. In Crude, he tackles a very different behemoth – corporate greed.

Crude is a gut-wrenching documentary which highlights the struggle of the poor residents of Ecuador’s oil-producing Amazonian rainforest against Chevron, the multinational energy company. The plaintiffs in the case, the indigenous population, are seeking to hold Chevron responsible for environmental pollution – the dumping of over 18 billion gallons of toxic waste directly into streams and rivers. 

Berlinger presents his case fairly, proffering documentation by both sides. But Chevron denies all allegations, arguing that Texaco’s operations in Ecuador (Texaco merged with Chevron in 2001) met local and international standards. Their lawyers contend (with glossy 8 x 10 photos) that they spent $40 million in a major cleanup effort in the 1990’s which absolved them of any environmental liability. They assert that any remaining problems are the responsibility of PetroEcuador, the state-run oil company that acquired Texaco’s operations.

Mercifully, there are few talking heads narrating the story, instead Berlinger takes you on the journey from the office of Steven Donziger, the brash New York-based attorney (I can say that since I’m from the Bronx), to local hero Pablo Fajardo (the lead attorney) in his first case. The inclusion of Trudie Styler (the co-founder of the Rainforest Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting indigenous and traditional people of the world’s rainforests), brings a bit of cache to this gritty story.

Your emotions won’t be untouched while watching Crude. Unless you’re a heartless SOB, you’ll cry when a woman recounts her and her daughter’s medical history and witness countless photos of babies who suffer from skin conditions and cancer. You’ll cheer when an expert appointed by the Ecuadorian court recommends the judge award the plaintiffs $27 billion in damages. Unfortunately, they have yet to collect.

The coda to this story is not a pleasant one. It’s been reported that the Ecuadorean judge who presided over the lawsuit has purportedly recused himself from the case. It was revealed that he was caught on videotape discussing the multibillion-dollar lawsuit against Chevron and was asked to withdraw. Unfortunately, this will only lead to more delays.

You may not be sickened by the oil leeching into your water table, but if you were sick to your stomach watching this story, the filmmakers have set-up a website where you can go to make a difference. Click on: http://www.crudethemovie.com/get-involved/ for a list of supporting organizations. Keep your check book handy.

*Apologies to Paul Henning for the modification to the lyrics of his song, The Ballad of Jed Clampett.

4