Black Wave

The legacy of the Exxon Valdez

by Macumba Doc 

 Just the name alone might start a person assuming what this documentary would be all about.  What's not immediately assumed and comes to life immediately in the film, is the richness and pureness of Alaska and its communities of people.  At this point in the film reviews, we are noticing how each film carries with it a flavor that goes beyond the name and subject matter.  This could be just a film that wants to tell a story about one of the world biggest environmental catastrophies, but instead it begins to tell a story that unfolds with a sense of depth in the facts that surround the spill of the Exxon Valdez in 1992.  Local fisherman, researchers, and characters of the film begin to take on real life form as the drama unfolds.  Its full length of 99min can also be viewed in a shorter version of 52min.  For the educational experience of this film, we wished it was longer.  It was well done and very rich in its storyline.  We would expect a large scale discussion to follow viewing this film, one that deals with small communities, governments, and large corporations.  Information is given that will show what happened behind the scenes as the worlds largest oil company did not deliver on what they promised before the spill and what came of the 4-600 million dollars spent on Exxon's litigation since the spill.  This film is important to the history of America, and as current practices continue, will remain a current topic for many years to come. The human and environmental impact that unfolds in this film will far surpass any immediate effect from any other environmental tragedy.  When 3,000 thousand sea birds, 22 Orca whales, 3,500 Sea Otters, and countless other species, it really starts hitting home when people in the community start taking their own lives. Its 18 years later and classrooms are taking field trips to dig samples along the beaches of Prince William Sound, collecting samples of crude oil just below the surface on remote beaches all through the area. We recommend this movie for programs interested in ocean and coastal science and conservation, or social and economic impacts of communities and resources.  This story is told primarily through the eyes of one local Cordova fishing family and their struggles to continue their lives after the massive spill.  This film is human environmental impact on a massive scale.

Exxon Mobil is the most profitable corporation in the world, making profits of over 40 Billion a year in 2007 and continuing today.  After tying up proceedings and taking the pleas of the corporation to the supreme court, the supreme court ruled damages of 507 million, or, two days profits of the corporation.  There is a very large crime taking part on behalf of Exxon, and the environment and people are paying the price. 

 Videos - Black Wave

http://www.blackwavethefilm.com/videos 

 The End of the Line

2009 

This film is on the cutting edge of what is happening in our worlds oceans, and its about time it was made...   That is what many will be thinking when they watch this documentary.  For others, it might be on the same lines of Climate Change and just be too big to wrap your mind around. I stopped in my tracks when I heard one person say, "Sometimes I think... I might as well eat the fish I like now, cause they're going to be gone soon." Wow, I thought, is that what we have to offer? This documentary is in the lines of a feature film, with its well done narrative, soundtrack, and impressive footage, it will move the viewer into a world that paints a dark and complicated picture. 

 The End of the Line :: Home Page

 http://endoftheline.com

 A THANK YOU

A SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO ALL THE PRODUCERS OF THE FILMS WHO WERE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS REVIEW.  AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANK YOU GOES OUT TO BULLFROG FILMS