If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Marshall Curry, Sam Cullman:
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (USA, 2011)
85 min. - English
Age limit 12 years
The FBI has described the radical environmental organization Earth Liberation Front the €domestic terrorist threat number 1.€ Through the years ELF has functioned with a phantom cell structure without a leader. The cells have organized arsons at targets they blame for destroying the environment. In 2005, the FBI decided to take action. The federal agents arrested 14 members of the biggest ELF unit, and thus broke the cell responsible for the first arson.
If a Tree Falls Down, by Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman, was nominated for Oscar this year. It tells a story of fierce environmentalism and frustrated rage. The film centers on the life of Daniel McGovan, one of the members the FBI arrested. Through his story the directors portray the rising radicalism within the organization, which lead to destructive vandalism, big headlines and, eventually, to prison. The events in McGovan's life also bring forth heavy questions about environmental protection, activism and terrorism. The striking archive footage is combined with interviews of the ELF members as well as the prosecutors and agents chasing them.
If a Tree Falls Down portrays the turbulent years between 1995 and 2001, when the activists violently clashed with wood companies and forces of law €“ and when the word €terrorism€ hadn€t yet been altered by 9/11.
Fri 16th Nov at 4:00pm Tapio 4