Watch Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands

In Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands, acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Peter Mettler takes us on a mesmerizing journey over one of the biggest industrial projects in the world, the Athabasca oil sands in northern Alberta, Canada. Using stunning aerial footage, Mettler offers a bird's eye view of the massive network of mines, pipelines, refineries, and tailings ponds that make up the tar sands operations, pushing the limits of cinematography and providing an unprecedented look at an environmental disaster in the making.

The film begins with an introduction to the natural beauty of the region, including vast forests, rivers, and wetlands, which have sustained indigenous communities for thousands of years. We see how the tar sands development has altered the landscape beyond recognition, replacing forests with open-pit mines, dredging rivers for oil, and releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As Mettler's camera hovers above the tar sands, we hear from activists, scientists, and indigenous leaders who are fighting to protect the land, water, and air from further degradation.

One of the most striking aspects of Petropolis is its use of sound. Mettler collaborated with composer and sound designer Andreas Bick to create an immersive sonic experience that draws attention to the hidden or overlooked aspects of tar sands development. From the eerie hum of machinery to the thudding of helicopters, the film's sound design captures the scale and intensity of the industrial activity below. At the same time, it juxtaposes these sounds with the natural sounds of birds, water, and wind, reminding us of what is being lost in the rush to extract fossil fuels.

Alongside the soundscape, Petropolis also features a haunting original score by the Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer. Harmer's music complements Mettler's images, weaving together personal and political themes with a sense of urgency and hope that reflects the film's message. Through her lyrics, she draws attention to the human impact of the tar sands, from the workers who toil in dangerous conditions to the communities that face displacement, contamination, and cultural loss.

One of Petropolis's key strengths is its ability to convey the complexity of the tar sands issue without resorting to simplification or polemics. Mettler does not shy away from the ambiguities and contradictions of his subject matter, nor does he present easy solutions or scapegoats. Instead, he invites us to engage with the thorny ethical, economic, and ecological questions that the tar sands raise, from the role of government and industry in shaping public policy to the intersection of climate change and social justice.

At the same time, Petropolis celebrates the resilience and creativity of those who are working to transform the tar sands from a source of destruction to a site of regeneration. We meet indigenous leaders who are developing sustainable energy projects and restoring traditional knowledge, as well as grassroots activists who are pushing for stronger environmental regulations and public awareness. By highlighting these examples of resistance and renewal, the film offers a glimmer of hope in a bleak landscape.

Overall, Petropolis is a visually stunning and intellectually challenging documentary that takes us on a journey to the heart of one of the most pressing environmental crises of our time. By combining artistry and activism, Mettler and his collaborators have created a powerful and urgent call to action, urging us to reconsider our relationship with energy, technology, and the natural world.

Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.