Watch Dirty Energy

Dirty Energy is a documentary film directed by Bryan D. Hopkins, which explores the environmental impact of the offshore oil drilling industry in the Gulf of Mexico. The movie was released in 2012 and features interviews with local fishermen, oil rig workers, and environmental activists, and examines the personal and ecological consequences of decades of offshore drilling in the region.

The film follows the story of George Barisich, a third-generation commercial fisherman from Saint Bernard Parish in Louisiana, who has been struggling to survive after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010. Barisich and other local fishermen had their livelihoods destroyed overnight when millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, contaminating the waters and killing off countless fish and other marine animals.

As the film shows, the economic impact of the oil spill went far beyond just the fishing industry. Many small businesses in the region, from restaurants to souvenir shops, were also hit hard by the disaster, as tourism dropped off and people stopped visiting the area due to concerns about the safety of the seafood and the environment.

The film also explores the role of the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico's economy, and the development and regulation of offshore drilling in the region. It features interviews with Kevin Curole, an offshore oil rig worker who shares his insight into the industry and its impact on the environment.

One of the main themes of the movie is the struggle between economic development and environmental protection. While many people in the region rely on the oil industry for their livelihoods, the film shows that offshore drilling also carries significant risks for the environment, as well as for the workers involved in the industry.

The documentary also highlights the complex relationship between the oil industry and the regulatory agencies that oversee it. The film suggests that some regulators and policymakers may have been too closely aligned with the oil industry, and that this may have contributed to the lack of oversight and accountability that led to the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Throughout the film, the personal stories of those affected by the oil spill are woven together into a larger narrative about the environmental and economic impacts of offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The film also explores the role of grassroots activism in response to the crisis, including the efforts of groups like the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, which has been working to monitor and document pollution in the region.

Overall, Dirty Energy is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that provides a compelling look at the human and environmental consequences of offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The film raises important questions about the balance between economic development and environmental protection, and about the role of industry and regulators in ensuring that offshore drilling is conducted safely and responsibly.

Dirty Energy is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.