Shadows on the Wall | How to Blow Up a Pipeline

How to Blow Up a Pipeline

dir Daniel Goldhaber
scr Ariela Barer, Jordan Sjol, Daniel Goldhaber
prd Ariela Barer, Daniel Goldhaber, Isa Mazzei, Adam Wyatt Tate, David Grove Churchill Viste
with Ariela Barer, Kristine Froseth, Lukas Gage, Forrest Goodluck, Sasha Lane, Jayme Lawson, Marcus Scribner, Jake Weary, Irene Bedard, Olive Jane Lorraine, Sarah Minnich, Travis Hammer
release US Oct.22 ciff,
US 7.Apr.23, UK 21.Apr.23
22/US 1h43

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With a sparky caper-adventure vibe, this thriller centres on young climate activists who want to jolt the world out of complacency. Based on a nonfiction book, the film is supercharged by its energetic cast and filmmaker Daniel Goldhaber's use of kinetic camerawork (by Tehillah De Castro) and propulsive music (by Gavin Brivik). So while a Wild West sensibility makes up for the plot holes, these antiheroes win us over.

In rural Texas, a group of environmental rebels come together intending to cause mayhem. Local farmer Dwayne (Weary) had his life disrupted when an oil company pipeline seized his family's land. Natural leader Xochitl (Barer), her best friend Theo (Lane) and Theo's girlfriend Alisha (Lawson) arrive from California, bomb expert Michael (Goodluck) busses in from North Dakota, and free-spirited couple Rowan and Logan (Froseth and Gage) drive down from Oregon. The hitch is that Rowan is secretly in contact with the FBI, and then several aspects of the group's plan don't go quite as expected.

With a quick pace, the story charges into the action then cuts away to provide character backstories. This adds intrigue as well as some more emotional details, such as how Theo leukaemia is directly linked to growing up next to an oil refinery. Yes, many elements of the story seem rather convenient, and there are a couple of loose strands along the way, as well as some gratuitously ramped-up violence. But the engaging characters are strong enough to hold things together.

The eclectic ensemble has terrific presence, creating unusually individualised characters. Not all of them are sparky and energetic; some are downright glum, but together they have a terrific sense of connection that emerges through each person's personal circumstances. All of them are strong, with Froseth and Gage emerging in the most magnetic roles, and Goodluck providing a strong soulfulness. Meanwhile, Barer, Lane and Lawson create their own deep connectivity.

Because of the heist-style plot and the more internalised themes, the environmental topicality kind of takes a backseat to the more pressing drama and suspense, which are augmented by some superb action beats and subtle effects work. What does come through strongly is the urgency these young people feel about the state of the planet, the grotesque abuses committed by major corporations in the name of profit and especially the infuriating inaction of those who should be regulating them.

themes, language, violence 22.Feb.23

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