Crude

It is called the Chernobyl Disaster of the Amazon: the systematic destruction and pollution of the Ecuadorian rainforest, all because of oil extraction that began in the early 1970s. In the minds of 30,000 inhabitants of the affected region, the worst culprit is the American conglomerate Texaco, which was taken over by Chevron in 2001. As a result, they began a class action lawsuit against the company in 1993. Director Joe Berlinger followed the trial for three years in Ecuador, after a strong lobby for Texaco compelled the American judge to move it there. The presentation of evidence takes place in the actual locations, and while the judge, lawyers, and members of the press literally wade through an oil slick, the counsel for Texaco starts figuratively flinging mud. Berlinger does his best to keep the film in balance, and gives both sides the opportunity to plead their case. Nonetheless, it becomes obvious where his sympathies lie: the great hero of his film is Pablo Fajardo, a lawyer who once worked in the oilfields and went to study law so he could right the wrongs taking place there. In his own words, "I didn't have any professional experience litigating cases, but I have never felt inferior to any of the Texaco lawyers. Because when I say something, they have to think a thousand times to come up with a lie in order to counter my truth."