Crude is the story of one of the largest and most controversial environmental lawsuits on the planet. The landmark case takes place in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador, pitting 30,000 indigenous and colonial rainforest dwellers against the U.S. oil giant Chevron. The plaintiffs allege that the pollution has created a “death zone” in an area, resulting in increased rates of cancer, leukemia, birth defects, and a multiplicity of other health ailments. They further allege that the oil operations in the region contributed to the destruction of indigenous peoples and irrevocably impacted their traditional way of life. Chevron vociferously fights the claims, charging that the case is a complete fabrication, perpetrated by “environmental con men” who are seeking to line their pockets with the company’s billions. While the environmental impact of the consumption of fossil fuels has been increasingly documented in recent years, Crude focuses on the human cost of our addiction to oil and the increasingly difficult task of holding a major corporation accountable for its past deeds.
On the third Thursday of every month, the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations and Social Justice Fund partners with a different community organization to sponsor a monthly film series on themes related to social justice. The film series is hosted by the Southside Commons in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood. There’s always food and it’s free! There is a $2.00 suggested donation at the door
