Released in September 2014 to a limited number of theaters, it is now available in its totality on Netflix streaming. It is directed by Rebecca and Josh Tickell and narrated (ominously) by Jason Bateman of Arrested Development fame, although my favorite work of his is Horrible Bosses. John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil and now founder of the nonprofit organization Citizens for Affordable Energy, is a board member at Fuel Freedom Foundation, which produced the film.
I really enjoyed the film and highly recommend it. This is a documentary so there's no reason to expect a plot. However, the movie does a good job of telling the story of the history of oil dependence in America. The theme, and goal, of the movie is "Freedom at the Pump" - in other words, we should not be locked into gasoline as a means of transportation. For people who prefer it, fine... but the movie uncovers in true conspiracy-theorist fashion the illegal activities throughout history of Standard Oil (yes, think Rockefeller) and other companies that have taken extreme measures to extinguish innovation that would reduce America's dependence on oil. How can you possibly switch to an ethanol or methanol car if you cannot buy the fuel anywhere?
Some highlights for me include:
- Vignettes about Tesla... I learned quite a bit about the company.
- Learning about China's recent auto-boom and how, due to the one-child rule, women, who are now in short supply, often choose their husbands by what kind of car they own, because cars are acquired through a complex lottery/bidding system that leaves many disappointed and still puts too many cars on the road in this highly populated nation. Watch it and you'll see - if you drive a gas-powered automobile, this is really something about which to be concerned. The Chinese want more cars, and they will pay almost anything to be able to drive them. Don't think that will affect your gas prices? Guess again.
- I've often read that ethanol and methanol are expensive, dirty fuels that require more coal to produce a gallon than we can imagine. Maybe that's true to some extent, maybe it isn't. This movie tells a very different story of clean, inexpensive biofuels whose reputations have been completely sullied by PR experts hired to nix the biofuel industry.
- Since watching the movie, I have really paid attention to the sights and smells on the road and in parking lots. Why wouldn't we want to stop breathing that stuff? You know it's disgusting.
- I was a little disappointed by the brief treatment of electric cars and I hope that someone produces a longer documentary devoted to just these vehicles. But it was great learning about biofuels. I just want to know more about all progressive automotive technologies.
The movie is clearly a call to action. "Demand fuel choice!" it screams at us, and I feel inspired to do just that. We Americans don't really like being told what to do, although we are famous for following the leads of those who is clearly doing things wrong, without being told to do so... but that's our pop culture at work. Why are we so happy with being forced to use gasoline when we know for a fact, when we look just a little deeper, that our dependence on oil is being fueled not by necessity or the public good, but rather by businesses bent on profit? Is this really okay with you?
Depending on which source you choose to believe, there are 10 years... or 20 years... or 50 years... or 75 years... of oil left to be ripped from the earth at current levels of usage. Let's say liberally that there are 200 years of oil left. 200 years is not so far away. Are we really okay with holding back progress that would ensure survival of our species, or at least our descendents' abilities to be mobile, i nthe name of pure profit?
I'm not okay with it.
Watch the movie, learn something... and let me know what you think.
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