If a Tree Falls explained

If a Tree Falls
Director:Marshall Curry
Producer:Marshall Curry
Sam Cullman
Music:James Baxter
The National
Cinematography:Sam Cullman
Editing:Matthew Hamacheck
Marshall Curry
Distributor:Oscilloscope Laboratories
Runtime:85 minutes
Language:English

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front is a 2011 American documentary film by filmmaker Marshall Curry. It tells the story of activist Daniel G. McGowan of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), from his first arson attacks in 1996 to his 2005 arrest by the Department of Justice. The film also examines the ethics of the ELF at large and how terrorism is to be defined.[1]

Premiering at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, If a Tree Falls was rapidly acclaimed by critics as many considered it one of the best documentaries of 2011 for its thought-provoking portrayal of complex environmental and political issues. It won a number of awards and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[2]

Plot

See main article: Earth Liberation Front.

Daniel McGowan first became involved with the ELF in 1996.

The Department of Justice launched Operation Backfire to find the arsonists.

In 2006, McGowan was arrested.

Signing a plea agreement, he was sentenced to 7 years in prison.[3]

Production

Director Marshall Curry knew Daniel McGowan through his wife's work.[4] McGowan did not strike him as the terrorist type, so after his 2006 arrest, he was intrigued to find out what led him to his radical course of action.

Release

If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Documentary Editing. Oscilloscope Laboratories would subsequently pick it up for theatrical distribution.

PBS broadcast the film on September 13, 2011, as part of its POV series.[5]

Reception

[6] [7]

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times called it "one of the best documentaries of the year"[8] and The New York Times said it was "an extraordinary documentary... [a] fearless exploration of complexity in a world drawn to oversimplified depictions of events and problems, heroes and villains."[9]

The various organizations involved—including the spokesman for the Earth Liberation Front and the prosecutor who put members of the E.L.F. in prison—also responded favorably.[4]

Awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.npr.org/2012/02/21/147163544/if-a-tree-falls-explains-earth-liberation-fronts-rise 'If A Tree Falls': The Earth Liberation Front's Rise: NPR
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTcNX_n3lIQ Undefeated Wins Documentary Feature; 2012 Oscars
  3. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/movies/if-a-tree-falls-documentary-on-earth-liberation-front.html 'If a Tree Falls', Documentary on Earth Liberation Front - The New York Times
  4. Web site: If a Tree Falls-Press Notes. ifatreefallsfilm.com. 2012-11-13.
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2uAKxbDoDA If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front - Documentary Trailer - POV 2011 | PBS on YouTube
  6. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/if_a_tree_falls_a_story_of_the_earth_liberation_front Rotten Tomatoes
  7. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/if-a-tree-falls-a-story-of-the-earth-liberation-front Metacritic
  8. Web site: Turan. Kenneth. Kenneth Turan's film picks: 'If a Tree Falls,' 'Honeymoon Killers' . Los Angeles Times. 21 July 2011 . 14 May 2015.
  9. Web site: Revkin. Andrew. If a Tree Falls, Can it Win an Oscar?. The New York Times. 13 December 2011 . 14 May 2015.
  10. Web site: The 84th Academy Awards 2012. Oscars.org. 14 May 2015.
  11. Web site: If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front. Sundance Institute. 14 May 2015.
  12. Web site: 2011 DALLAS International Film Festival Announces Award Winners. Vimooz. 9 April 2011 . 14 May 2015.
  13. Web site: Smith. Nigel M.. "Weekend" & "If a Tree Falls" Win Big in Nashville. Indiewire. 20 April 2011 . 14 May 2015.
  14. Web site: Santa Cruz Film Festival Awards. Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. 14 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090941/http://www.santacruzchamber.org/EXTERNAL/WCPAGES/WCNEWS/NEWSARTICLEDISPLAY.ASPX?ArticleID=181. 18 May 2015.
  15. Web site: Writers Guild Awards: Complete Winners List. hollywoodreporter.com. The Hollywood Reporter. 18 February 2019. 19 February 2012.

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