The film exposes the corruption surrounding the approval of Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek Mine, highlights the power of corporations over community wellbeing, and captures the raw distress of the local community and beyond. People from all walks of life, including farmers, environmentalists, war veterans, Aboriginal people, Christian leaders and musicians, unite to make a stand against Whitehaven Coal, in one of the most significant non-violent civil disobedience campaigns in Australian history.
Pereira goes into the blockade camp hosted by local farmer Cliff Wallace and to the local community, representing a range of community concerns about the Whitehaven Coal project. These include destruction and dispossession of Aboriginal sacred sites, water table contamination, water access inequality, coal dust pollution and the destruction of biodiversity, including endangered flora and fauna. Pereira captures the emotional distress that ensues in a very raw way.
Many stories are told. None is more moving than the story of the local Gomeroi people, the traditional owners of Leard State Forest. The Gomeroi’s sacred sites are destroyed and they are denied access to their land to perform sacred ceremony for over a year, during which time some of their elders have passed away. Other stories include that of Jonathon Moylan who sent a hoax press release to illustrate ANZ’s role in funding the Maules Creek Mine, and the arrest of country musician Luke O’Shea.
This documentary is one I will not forget. It is intimate, moving and a must see for all.
