03/06/2013
L**h Kowalski’s new documentary film, "Drill Baby Drill" will have its American premiere at The Uptown Theater in Utica on Saturday, March 16 at 4 PM. Mr. Kowalski, a former Utica resident and UFA graduate, who currently lives in Paris, France will be present for the screening and for the discussion and question and answer period that will follow the 84 minute film. Mr. Kowalski has won awards and been the subject of retrospectives at several major international film festivals. Drill Baby Drill was shown recently in the French Senate, on French and German television (with high ratings) and will be shown to the European Parliament in April, prior to theatrical release.
The film, which was made in Poland and in Pennsylvania, tells the story of a small group of Polish farmers who band together to protect their land from being used for the drilling of shale gas (hydrofracking). It also looks at the effects that ongoing drilling is having on farmers and their communities in PA. Its subject matter should be of strong, immediate interest to citizens of central New York where energy companies are leasing land with plans to do similar gas drilling. The film raises important questions about corporate power and its effect on democracy and about the tensions between our need for new energy sources and the need to protect our land and water. The film’s power derives in part from its refusal to provide easy answers to the questions it raises.
The Other Side of Utica is sponsoring the screening. Tickets are $5. The proceeds from the event will go to support The Uptown, The Other Side and Hydro Relief Web. For more information call The Other Side at 735 4845 or email us at [email protected].
