CRUDE: Women and Children Pay for the Real Price of Oil

categories: Global Feminism, Health, Media, Women of Color

Published August 20, 2009 @ 10:13AM PT

Coming to theaters next month is a documentary film called CRUDE, which chronicles the epic battle to hold oil giant Chevron (formerly Texaco) accountable for its systematic contamination of the Ecuadorian Amazon – an environmental tragedy experts call "the Rainforest Chernobyl."

Besides the basic fact that women and children often face disproportionate risk in cases of environmental contamination, there have been studies looking at the specific impact on women in the region. One study cited by Han Shan, a coordinator of the Clean Up Ecuador Campaign led by US-based NGO Amazon Watch, has demonstrated the presence of contamination by oil pollutants in communities close to oil fields, at levels high enough to cause alarm. It also provides some evidence of an increased risk of spontaneous abortions in women living in the proximity of the oil fields, after adjustment for other better-known risks common in developing-country settings.

It's heartbreaking to see how indigenous women in particular are marginalized by big business and an unresponsive government. The trailer below shows one mother calmly explaining that her young daughter has cancer in her liver:

The film opens in New York on 09/09/09, followed by openings in L.A., San Francisco and D.C. In order for the film to gain real national distribution, it must nearly sell out in those key markets. So if you get a chance, please support this important film!

Word-of-mouth is priceless for a grassroots film like CRUDE. There's lots you can do to help spread the word and get involved in supporting the campaign. Visit ChevronToxico.com and you can sign up for updates on the latest news about CRUDE here.

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Comments (1)

I just found out that in addition to NY, LA, SF & DC, CRUDE is booked in 20 other cities! Check out http://www.crudethemovie.com/now-playing/ for complete list.

Posted by Dorothee Royal-Hedin... on 08/20/2009 @ 11:12AM PT
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Author

Dorothee Royal-Hedinger is a web video producer, blogger and experienced New Media Strategist specializing in nonprofit outreach. She is the founder and host of OrganicNation.tv and runs the video magazine Fresh Cut. She enjoys biking, guerrilla gardening and sustainable design. You can follow her on Twitter @DorotheeRH.