Wiebo’s War
Say what you will about Canadian film…well no, don’t if you are going to be snarky because the past few years have given us some real gems. There was At Night They Dance, the only Canadian film to show at Cannes this year; Fubar (both the first and second); and Monsieur Lazhar picking up the audience prize at Locarno and Best Canadian Feature at TIFF, to name a few. If the names don’t ring a bell that’s due to the politics of distribution, which would take a longer post to hash out. The point is, another stellar feature is opening this week: Wiebo’s War.
A top pick at Hot Docs this year, the NFB documentary by David York centres on Wiebo Ludwig and his struggle to keep his home in northern Alberta out of the hands of Big Oil. Called an eco-terrorist and cult leader, Ludwig has been caught up in his battle for nearly two decades, since it was discovered that their farm lies on top of one of the largest undeveloped natural gas fields. Despite their efforts, wells were drilled close to the family’s land; soon after livestock began to die and, worst of all, Ludwig’s family got sick. In light of Occupy Toronto, this documentary of a David and Goliath tale feels especially salient. As if fighting Big Oil isn’t salient enough.
Director David York will be in attendance at the October 21 screening.