Document Analysis: 'This Is Not a Drill' Evaluation: Climate Activism Documentary Seems Stuck in a More Optimistic Past
In the world of documentary filmmaking, "This Is Not a Drill" stands out as a poignant portrayal of the fragility of progress, directed by Oren Jacoby. The film, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, follows three grassroots environmentalists taking on Big Oil, each representing a different form of activism.
Justin J. Pearson, a recent college graduate, leads a diverse coalition to oppose an oil pipeline in a historically Black, economically disadvantaged area of Memphis. His dynamic and community-focused approach is a stark contrast to the powerful forces he faces. Pearson, interestingly, is also a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, who was briefly expelled in 2023 for participating in a gun control rally.
Roishetta Ozane, a mother of six, moved her family to Louisiana and faced multiple hurricanes. This personal experience led her to question the connection between oil refineries and storms, launching a crusade to educate about climate change. Sharon Wilson, a former oil industry worker in Texas, became an activist after fracking led to black water from her pipes. Using infrared cameras, a blog, YouTube channel, and the internet, she tracks methane releases and spreads awareness.
The documentary does not directly connect the three main characters, and they are intercut in ways that blur the passage of time without building momentum. However, it offers examples of individual courage and collective determination in the face of endlessly funded and institutionally supported adversaries.
Completed within the first eight months of the Trump administration, the documentary believes in the work done by its subjects and the principles it's espousing, but acknowledges the challenges posed by the second Trump administration. The rapid pace of events during this period has left the documentary feeling hollow and insufficiently explored.
The documentary also introduces a secondary thread involving Rockefeller heirs funding underdog causes, but they are not fully developed as characters, and it's unclear whether they financially assist all three heroes.
In the last 20 minutes, Al Gore appears to give his approval to Justin's anti-pipeline work, stating that it falls to grassroots activists to speak up with the voice of sanity. The documentary now feels like a portrait of the fragility of progress, as it does not engage with the realities of 2025, including mass deregulation, and feels ill-adapted to the current climate.
Despite these structural flaws, "This Is Not a Drill" serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of grassroots activists in the face of overwhelming adversity.
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