The 84th Academy Awards nominations were announced this morning in Beverly Hills, California, and documentary filmmaker Marshall Curry's "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front," is officially in the Oscars race, receiving a nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Curry, whose 2005 film "Street Fight," was also nominated for an Academy Award, directed this inside look at extreme environmentalism with Sam Cullman, who is also the producer and cinematographer.
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" is a story that centers around the radical environmentalist, Brooklyn-born Daniel McGowan, who moved to Eugene, Oregon in the late 1990's, and became part of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), a group that describes itself as using "economic sabotage and guerrilla warfare to stop the exploitation and destruction of the environment." McGowan subsequently faced life in prison when he was arrested and charged with arson and conspiracy for participating in two arsons against timber companies Superior Lumber in Glendale, Oregon on January 2, 2001, and Jefferson Poplar Farms in Clatskanie, Oregon on May 21, 2001.
In interviews, McGowan admittedly agrees that he no longer believes that destruction is the right answer, but he also brings up a valid concern- he was classified as a terrorist and facing life in prison when he hadn't actually harmed anyone.
The film also offers a behind-the-scenes look into the organization "ELF," which caused tens of millions of dollars in property damage throughout the United States between the years of 1996-2009, predominately in the Northwest. "ELF" was designated as the "number one domestic terrorist threat" by the FBI.
Curry and Cullman present the issues from all sides, portraying the frustration felt by those who wish to protect the environment, and the sense of duty felt by those in law enforcement. The film raises the interesting question - how do you define terrorism?
Watch the trailer for the film.
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front" is now available to watch instantly on Netflix.
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