Tar Creek (film)

Tar Creek
Directed by Matt Myers
Produced by Tanya Beer
Ron & Cara Beer
Written by Matt Myers
Narrated by Matt Myers
Music by Watermelon Slim
Cinematography Robert Billings
Release dates
  • August 13, 2009 (2009-08-13)
Running time
73 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Tar Creek is a 2009 feature-length environmental documentary about the Tar Creek Superfund Site, which at one time was considered the worst environmental disaster in the United States.[1][2] It was directed Matt Myers, who also wrote the film's script and served as its narrator.[3]

Synopsis

This documentary looks at the Tar Creek Superfund Site and chronicles the long-term effects of mining, tribal relations, United States Environmental Protection Agency management. The land within the perimeters of this environmental disaster was bad enough that the federal government bought out the homes of citizens living there and moved them away.

Reception

The Library Journal rated the film favorably, writing "This grim exploration of our toxic legacy doesn't spare mine owners, bureaucrats, or politicians. Although regulations are much stricter today, viewers will ask themselves whether any agency is willing or able to remediate former mine sites properly."[4] The Journalism & Mass Communication Educator wrote a predominantly positive review where they praised the film for its attention to personal details while also noting "The film’s interviews are striking, but lack a sense of coherence."[5] The Capital Times was slightly more mixed in their review, stating "Myers is a folksy and poetic narrator, although the tone of the film gets needlessly preachy toward the end. He found a good selection of people to interview -- scientists, social workers, politicians, elderly ex-miners, displaced residents -- but the selection leaned a little too heavy on officials. I would have liked to hear more from a family or child's perspective."[6]

References

  1. Poppe, Nathan. "Filmmakers tackle subject of Tar Creek". NewsOK. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. Cohen, Elisa. "Tar Creek: The film about America's worst Superfund site". North Denver Tribune. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  3. Kennedy, Wally. "Tar Creek documentary premieres tonight". Joplin Globe. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  4. Conn, David R. (December 1, 2012). "Tar Creek.(Video recording review)". Library Journal. 137 (20): 53. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. Johansen, Bruce (December 2012). "Video for the Classroom". Journalism & Mass Communication Educator. 67 (4): 421–422. doi:10.1177/1077695812462355. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  6. Cisar, Katjusa. "WI FILM FEST DAY 4: 'A TOWN CALLED PANIC,' 'TAR CREEK' AND 'WITHNAIL & I'.(77 SQUARE)". The Capital Times (subscription required). Retrieved 12 September 2015.
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