Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands

A sumptuously shot aerial view of an ecological disaster?Peter Mettler has created his own plaintive moving-image version of photographer Ed Burtynsky's politically engaging work.
-Marc Glassman, Globe & Mail
It's strikingly beautiful and presented in such confident, assured rhythms that you're almost¿ypnotized¿y the flow of images - until you realize you're watching grand-scale systematic destruction.
-Norman Wilner, NOW Magazine
Petropolis is one of the best films you will see anywhere this year, it's urgent, powerful filmmaking and should not be missed.
-Jesse Wente, CBC Radio
The film doesn¿ use words to make its potent point: Only an aerial view that leaves one staggered ?and likely ashamed.
-Kevin Williamson, Toronto Sun
?louissant?
-John Griffin, MONTREAL GAZETTE
Le film n'utilise pas de mots pour nous convaincre: Une simple vue a?ienne des lieux suffit.
-Kevin Williamson, TORONTO SUN

Synopsis

The Athabasca tar sands in Alberta are an oil reserve the size of England. Extracting crude oil that lies beneath the unspoiled wilderness requires a massive industrialized effort, effecting catastrophic damages on land, air, water, and climate. Peter Mettler shows us this extraordinary view from above, filming primarily from a helicopter to capture this breathtaking, unparalleled view of the world’s largest industrial, capital and energy project. In a hypnotic flight of image and sound, Mettler explores the clash between industry and earth, and beholds the barren wasteland that is left behind.

Theatrical Release Date

Original Languages: English
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 45 min.
Year: 2009

CREDITS

DIRECTED BY
Peter Mettler

TRAILER


PHOTOS

A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Director Peter Mettler. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Director Peter Mettler. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Director Peter Mettler. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
Director Peter Mettler. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.
A scene from Petropolis. Courtesy of Mongrel Media.