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How to Blow Up a Pipeline (film)

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How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDaniel Goldhaber
Written by
Based onHow to Blow Up a Pipeline
by Andreas Malm
Produced by
  • Isa Mazzei
  • Daniel Goldhaber
  • Ariela Barer
  • Adam Wyatt Tate
  • David Grove Churchill Viste
  • Alex Black
  • Alex Hughes
Starring
CinematographyTehillah De Castro
Edited byDaniel Garber
Music byGavin Brivik
Production
companies
  • Chrono
  • Lyrical Media
  • Spacemaker
Distributed byNeon
Release dates
  • September 10, 2022 (2022-09-10) (TIFF)
  • April 7, 2023 (2023-04-07) (United States)
  • April 21, 2023 (2023-04-21) (UK and Ireland)
Running time
104 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$856,530[2][3]

How to Blow Up a Pipeline is a 2022 American environmentalist action-thriller film directed by Daniel Goldhaber, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ariela Barer and Jordan Sjol. It relies on ideas advanced in Andreas Malm's 2021 book of the same name, published by Verso Books. Malm's nonfiction work examines the history of social justice movements and argues for property destruction as a valid tactic in the pursuit of environmental justice. The film stars Barer, Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary and Irene Bedard.

Set primarily in West Texas, the film follows a fictional group of eight young individuals who decide to blow up an oil pipeline at two key locations. It explores themes such as the moral consequences of decision-making, the validity of extreme actions in addressing the climate crisis, the question of terrorism, and the use of property damage and sabotage as activist tactics. The production of the film spanned 19 months, from conception to completion, with principal photography taking place in New Mexico. The film premiered on September 10, 2022, at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the United States on April 7, 2023.

Receiving generally favorable reviews from critics, the film was praised for its eco-thriller premise, its exploration of moral and psychological challenges, the complexity of its antiheroes, and its ability to ignite a sense of urgency in activism. However, a few critics expressed concerns regarding the perceived promotion of terrorism and violence in the film's narrative.

Plot

The film opens with an act of sabotage—a cladded woman cuts the tires of an SUV and leaves a bright yellow one-page manifesto left on the window.

In Long Beach, California, lifelong friends Theo and Xochitl witness the devastating effects of climate change as Xochitl's mother dies during a "freak heat wave" in a city plagued by pollution from oil refineries. Frustrated by the slow progress of their campus divestment campaign, Xochitl expresses a desire for more radical environmental action. Meanwhile, Theo is diagnosed with leukemia, adding a sense of urgency to their cause.

Determined to make a difference, Theo and Xochitl convince Theo's skeptical girlfriend, Alisha, to join their mission. They assemble a diverse group of individuals, each motivated by their unique reasons. Shawn, a film student making a documentary about radical environmentalists, develops a connection with Xochitl during their involvement in college protests focused on divestment. Shawn introduces Dwayne, a blue-collar Texan with intimate knowledge of the targeted area and deep resentment towards an oil company that used eminent domain laws to seize his family's century-old land, leaving him and his pregnant spouse deprived of their home. The team also recruits Michael, a Native American self-taught explosives expert from a North Dakota reservation who picks fights with oil rig workers and rejects his mother's pacifist activism. Completing the roster are Rowan and Logan, an adventurous couple drawn to the cause.

United by their shared belief that peaceful protests and divestment campaigns are insufficient, the group devises a plan to strategically detonate homemade explosives along an unguarded section of a recently constructed oil pipeline in West Texas. Their objective is to expose the vulnerability of the oil industry. The group gathers at a remote cabin, where they begin manufacturing explosives and digging up a section of the pipeline. Throughout the film, poignant flashbacks unveil the individual paths that brought each character to this critical moment.

While executing their plan, the group encounters several setbacks and challenges. Members of the crew are distracted by alcohol, Michael accidentally detonates a bomb during preparation, surveillance drones monitor their activities, and Alisha fractures her leg when a barrel of explosives falls on her. Rowan and Logan, entrusted with the crucial task of shutting off the oil flow, find themselves unexpectedly confronted by armed oil company property inspectors. Logan successfully distracts them while Rowan completes the task. In the process, he sustains a gunshot wound. Despite these challenges, the rest of the group receives confirmation that the flow of oil has been cut, leading them to detonate the bomb and successfully blow up the pipeline.

Following the explosion, Rowan quickly tends to Logan's injuries, removing bullet fragments from his shoulder. She then discreetly meets with two FBI agents as a prearranged informant. The group had knowingly included Rowan as an FBI informant in their plan, enabling them to outwit federal agents and local police and have them believe that only Theo and Xochitl were involved in the sabotage. Rowan secures her freedom (having previously faced legal consequences following her involvement in a vandalism incident) and receives a substantial reward for her information. Michael, Alisha, Shawn, and Dwayne manage to leave the crime scene either prior to the explosion to establish alibis or immediately afterward.

The police swiftly descend upon the cabin where the group had manufactured the explosives, mere moments after Theo and Xochitl set it on fire. The duo finds themselves encircled, peacefully surrenders as planned, and promptly faces arrest.

The film concludes with another act of sabotage. A trio of cladded individuals blow up the vessel and leave behind the same manifesto seen in the opening scene, attached to a nearby pole.

Cast

Production

According to director and producer Daniel Goldhaber, the production of the film spanned 19 months, from conception to completion and premiere. Goldhaber worked alongside a team of seven credited producers.[4] The accelerated timeline was motivated by the urgency of the political conversation surrounding climate change, with the need for immediate action being a key factor. The filmmakers aimed to contribute to the cultural dialogue and believed that a swift production would align with the film's themes and purpose.[5] Additionally, industry timing considerations, such as the opportunity to showcase the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, influenced the decision to complete the project within a short timeframe.[6]

Published in January 2021, Andreas Malm's work of nonfiction, How to Blow Up a Pipeline, published by Verso Books,[7][8] deeply influenced director Goldhaber, who was grappling with a sense of creative and political helplessness. Joined by Jordan Sjol,[7] Goldhaber partnered with Ariela Barer to co-write the screenplay following her abandonment of another project. The film wholeheartedly embraces the book's central argument, positing that the pressing climate crisis warrants sabotage as a legitimate means of self-defense against the activities of powerful energy entities.[9] The trio completed the script within four months, after two months of research.[4] The filmmakers conducted extensive interviews with climate activists and pipeline experts, incorporating their experiences into the creation of characters like Theo, who was influenced by a friend's leukemia diagnosis attributed to living near a chemical plant. They were also inspired by real-life cases, such as Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya's imprisonment for vandalizing the Dakota Access Pipeline.[10]

Principal photography took place in New Mexico.

Casting meetings commenced even before the script was finalized. Despite initial challenges in securing financial backing, Goldhaber and Barer successfully obtained support from a financier acquainted with Goldhaber during the Cannes Film Festival.[9] The film was produced and financed by Lyrical Media and Spacemaker Prods., in collaboration with the production company Chrono.[11]

Filming spanned 22 days, primarily in New Mexico, with a key sequence filmed in North Dakota on the reservation where actor Forest Goodluck's family lived.[9] Additional scenes were shot in California. The filmmakers opted for 16 mm film to capture the desired quality in daylight exterior scenes, and to give the footage a more cinematic feel. The shooting ratio averaged around 21 or 22 to one.[4]

The team collaborated with a government contractor specializing in counterterrorism for realistic depictions of bomb-making scenes, while certain steps were omitted for dramatic purposes. The film's explosion sequence combined practical effects with CGI augmentation. A 150-foot mock-up structure made of industrial cardboard and wood was detonated to create the desired explosive and fire effects. Post-production involved six months of editing.[9]

Composer Gavin Brivik flew to the film set to capture music samples, including banging on oil drums in the desert. These sounds became the foundation for the film's opening track. Brivik drew inspiration from early Michael Mann films and musique concrète. The score blends raw oil drum recordings with distorted synths, mirroring the gritty cinematography. Brivik considers the film's score to be one of the most challenging he has ever written.[12]

Release

Ariela Barer attends a 2023 screening of the film in Brooklyn, New York

The film had its world premiere on September 10, 2022, at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was showcased in the Platform Prize program and received critical acclaim.[13][14] Shortly after the premiere, Neon acquired the distribution rights for North America, with plans for a theatrical release, through negotiations facilitated by CAA Media Finance.[15][16] Leading up to its debut at the American Film Market in November 2022, Charades, a French distributor, finalized several distribution agreements for the film. The company then successfully sold the rights to multiple territories, including France (Tandem), the United Kingdom (Vertigo Releasing), German-speaking Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Germany (Plaion), Benelux (The Searchers), Turkey (Fabula), and Latin America (Impacto).[11] The film made its release in the United States on April 7, 2023,[17] and in the United Kingdom and Ireland on April 21.[18]

Reception

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94%, based on 141 critic reviews with an average rating of 7.8/10. Its critical consensus reads, "An explosive adaptation of Andreas Malm's treatise, How to Blow Up a Pipeline delivers a high-stakes eco-thriller ignited by riveting and complex antiheroes."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 77 out of 100, based on 28 reviews indicating "generally favourable reviews".[20]

Following its premiere, the film garnered support from various film and television media platforms. TheWrap lauded Goldhaber's directorial approach, likening it to Steven Soderbergh's style, and praised the ensemble cast and the film's ability to ignite a sense of urgency in activism.[21] Vulture characterized the film as unapologetically confrontational, wearing its intentions boldly and employing an authentic approach,[22] while Variety commended the film but acknowledged that it may face criticism from climate change deniers.[23]

In a review for The New York Times, Peter C. Baker called the film a "cultural landmark" for its uniquely sympathetic portrayal of eco-terrorism.[24] In another review for the newspaper, Ben Kenigsberg wrote that the film had "a degree of suspense and efficiency that are becoming all too rare in the mainstream." However, he criticized it for packaging itself as having a deeper message while avoiding grappling with the characters' ideologies. He also questioned the placement of flashbacks, which he noted seem to serve primarily as plot twists, and suggested that the film's clean plotting and sympathetic motives undermine its confrontational goals.[25]

In his review for RogerEbert.com, Matt Zoller Seitz gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, praising it as "one of the most original American thrillers in years." Seitz commended the film for its thought-provoking nature and its exploration of the moral and psychological challenges faced by individuals involved in underground activist movements. He highlighted the film's ability to connect various systemic problems and lauded its meticulous approach in shedding light on these issues. He also commended the performances of the cast, particularly Jayme Lawson and Forrest Goodluck.[26] In another review for RogerEbert.com, film critic Brian Tallerico praised How to Blow Up a Pipeline as a unique and intense film that breaks away from the polished mainstream. He highlighted the personal passion of director Daniel Goldhaber, who brings a gritty texture and a sense of urgency to the film and noted that the film effectively transforms the concept of climate change into a thrilling heist narrative, which he believed would resonate with younger viewers and contribute to the ongoing climate change conversation.[27]

The Washington City Paper noted that the film is not an instruction manual but "a way to illuminate genuine moral objections", and described its cast as "a much more intense, combustible version of The Breakfast Club."[28] A pair of reviews in The Guardian by Wendy Ide and Peter Bradshaw each gave the film four out of five stars; Ide wrote that the film functions as both a "nervy thriller" and "a lightning rod for the mounting anger of climate-conscious audiences",[29] while Bradshaw praised it as a "fiercely watchable thriller" and drew comparaisons with Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. He also noted the film's departure from traditional heist films, where the pipeline destroyers are portrayed as the "good guys," which he finds to be an intriguing genre twist that slightly diminishes the film's cruelty and chaos but does not detract from its gripping and ingenious nature.[18] Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent gave the film 4 out of 5 stars and called it a "radical Marxist thriller that speaks to a generation’s anger."[30]

Some writers and critics, including Jesse Kline of The National Post, offered less favorable reviews of the film and its underlying message. Kline specifically criticized the film's perceived attempt to normalize terrorism. He questioned the positive reception given by critics and raised the potential controversy if a similar approach were applied to justifying the actions of Islamist terrorists in a film titled "How to Fly Planes Into a Building." While acknowledging the film's entertainment value in terms of its plot and tension, Kline critiqued its heavy emphasis on what he calls "environmental propaganda" and its promotion of a morally objectionable message that supports vigilante violence and the destruction of private property in the name of the collective good.[31] In his review for National Review, Armond White also criticized the film for promoting violence and terrorism under the guise of "diversity of tactics," viewing it as a cold-blooded portrayal rather than a cautionary tale. He expressed disbelief at the media's support for such destructive themes and argued that it reflected a self-hatred within Western media.[32]

Author Andreas Malm, whose book inspired the film, recognized the film's superior potential to inspire action and alleviate the despair surrounding the destructive fossil fuel infrastructure. He emphasized that the intention of both works was not to advocate for exact replication of the depicted actions, but rather to ignite discussions and prompt contemplation on the imperative for more radical measures to tackle the climate crisis.[33]

Concerns raised by authorities

The film raised concerns among federal and provincial agencies in North America, fearing it may inspire climate activists to resort to sabotage. A "Take Action" section on the film's official website includes a detailed map of pipeline locations in the United States and Canada.[34] Upon the film's release in the United States, 23 federal and state entities issued a total of 35 warnings. FBI documents obtained by Rolling Stone revealed concerns about the potential for the film to inspire terrorist attacks on energy targets. The alerts mentioned the possibility of attacks or disruptions on critical infrastructure, leading to increased security measures. Law enforcement agencies were advised to monitor individuals attempting to access facilities for photography or video recording. These precautions occurred during the film's release period, causing significant attention and concern despite being a work of fiction.[35] The Alberta Energy Regulator warned that the film should not be taken lightly, urging increased surveillance and security measures by pipeline operators and licensees. The RCMP acknowledged the film's concerning subject in an email with The Globe and Mail, but noted that they determined enforcement actions based on evidence and intelligence.[34] Despite these warnings and concerns, there have been no reported attacks on the pipeline network since the film's release.

Themes

The film supports the book's argument that the climate threat justifies sabotage as self-defense against powerful energy interests. Through the protagonists' perspective, the film raises questions about the validity of extreme actions in addressing the urgent climate crisis,[9] as well as the label of terrorism.[29] The film also explores the theme of property damage and sabotage as legitimate activist tactics, particularly in the context of climate change and the destruction of fossil fuel infrastructure. The film challenges the narrative of individual responsibility for climate change and instead focuses on the systemic nature of the issue, empowering viewers to confront the infrastructure rather than solely blaming individuals or companies.[6]

The film's tactile and grounded approach aims to make the characters' aspirations feel attainable and practical, utilizing depictions of activities like rolling barrels and bomb building to evoke a sense of possibility and familiarity. The participatory nature of the film is further emphasized through stylistic choices that actively engage the audience and encourage them to be fully immersed in the cinematic experience.[6] The film's setting in West Texas serves as a symbolic reference to Westerns and their depiction of wide-open Americana. By incorporating Western tropes and themes, such as heists and the concept of outsiders reclaiming agency, the movie serves as a reminder that the narrative of resistance has long been ingrained in American culture.[6] The film also seeks to represent diverse voices and communities affected by the climate change crisis, highlighting the need for broad access points and different tactics in addressing the issue.[10] It also touches on topics such as the health consequences of living in a toxic environment, property rights violations, indigenous land rights, and the impact of disruptive actions on ordinary citizens.[23]

Peter C. Baker of The New York Times highlighted the film's examination of uncertainty and the question of how future generations will judge present actions. He noted the sympathetic treatment of the protagonists and the deliberate creation of a historical feel, and underscored the film's emphasis on the moral stakes of decision-making and the unpredictable nature of the future.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". The Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  3. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Rizov, Vadim (September 12, 2022). "19 Months from Conception to Completion: Daniel Goldhaber on How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  5. ^ Russek, Sam (April 13, 2023). "The First Great Action Movie About Climate Justice?". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d Feldberg, Isaac. "Impulsive, Youthful, Necessary: Daniel Goldhaber on How to Blow Up a Pipeline | Interviews". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Kuplowsky, Peter. "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Malm, Andreas (January 5, 2021). How to Blow Up a Pipeline: Learning to Live in a World on Fire. ISBN 9781839760259. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e Rapold, Nicolas (April 14, 2023). "How to Build an Environmental Thriller in Five Not-So-Easy Steps". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Hans, Simran (April 17, 2023). "Is eco-terrorism now self-defence? Inside explosive film How to Blow Up a Pipeline". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Keslassy, Elsa (November 2, 2022). "Toronto Hit Film 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Proves a Hot Seller for Charades (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (April 5, 2023). "'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Composer Flew to New Mexico to Record Oil Drums for Film's Ominous Score (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  13. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 3, 2022). "Toronto Film Festival: Emily Bronte Movie 'Emily' to Open Platform Competition". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  14. ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 3, 2022). "Frances O'Connor's 'Emily' to open TIFF Platform alongside films from Maïmouna Doucouré, Rima Das". Archived from the original on August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  15. ^ Ravindran, Manori (September 13, 2022). "Neon Buys TIFF Environmental Thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Ritman, Alex (September 13, 2022). "TIFF: Neon Acquires Eco-Terrorist Thriller 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Lattanzaio, Ryan (March 2, 2023). "'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Trailer: Neon's Environmental Thriller Is Off the Rails". Indiewire. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (April 20, 2023). "How to Blow Up a Pipeline review – explosively Tarantino-esque eco thriller". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  20. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  21. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline Review: A Searing Eco-Thriller". TheWrap. April 7, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  22. ^ Hadadi, Roxana (April 7, 2023). "How to Blow Up a Pipeline Picks a Fight". Vulture. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Harvey, Dennis (April 6, 2023). "'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Review: Climate Activism Gets Explosive in a Taut Indie Drama". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Baker, Peter C. (April 5, 2023). "Will We Call Them Terrorists?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  25. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (April 6, 2023). "'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' Review: A Different Kind of Oil Boom". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  26. ^ Seitz, Matt Zoller. "How to Blow Up a Pipeline movie review (2023)". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  27. ^ Tallerico, Brian. "TIFF 2022: How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Sisu, Blueback | Festivals & Awards". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  28. ^ Zilberman, Alan (April 5, 2023). "See a Climate Crisis Thriller in How to Blow Up a Pipeline - WCP". Washington City Paper. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Ide, Wendy (April 23, 2023). "How to Blow Up a Pipeline review – a gripping, of-the-moment eco-thriller". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "How to Blow Up a Pipeline speaks to a generation's anger – review". The Independent. April 20, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  31. ^ "Jesse Kline: 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' film's reprehensible attempt to mainstream terrorism". nationalpost. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  32. ^ "How to Spot a Manifesto Movie". National Review. April 14, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  33. ^ Olsen, Mark (April 7, 2023). "Please don't blow up a pipeline after seeing this film". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  34. ^ a b "Activists inspired by How to Blow Up a Pipeline film may 'turn to sabotage,' Alberta energy watchdog warns". The Globe and Mail. April 24, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  35. ^ Winter, Jana (April 21, 2023). "Law-Enforcement Agencies Have Sent 35 Warnings About This Movie". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
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