Jun 21: GASLAND premieres on HBO

Many Pittsburghers attended the grassroots screening of GASLAND, an award-winning documentary on the impacts of drilling for natural gas, a couple of weeks ago; the Byham Theater was quite full! If you couldn't make it, tune in to HBO (or find a friend who has HBO and commandeer their TV) on Monday at 9 p.m. It'll also be on HBO on June 21, 24, 26, and 30, and July 5 and 9.

When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. This Halliburton-developed drilling technology has unlocked a "Saudi Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us...but is fracking safe? Can you imagine being able to light your tap water on fire? This is just one of the many shocking results Gasland demonstrates. Part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown. Fox encounters EPA whistleblowers, congressmen, world recognized scientists, and some of the most incredibly inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of ordinary Americans fighting against fossil fuel giants for environmental justice.

It's not often that a documentary about a sobering topic like the environmental consequences of gas drilling would make you chuckle. But an award-winning new film premiering June 21 at 9 p.m. on HBO manages to do just that—shining a light on the absurdity and folly behind the drilling boom in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Gasland filmmaker Josh Fox, describes the at-times irreverent film as part "travelogue, part exposé, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown."

Most importantly, the film chronicles the strange and disturbing new world wrought by the gas drilling rush—where tap water contaminated by nearby drilling can be lit on fire, animals and children come down withmysterious illnesses, and residents must fight for the truth.

If you have HBO, or know someone who does, get some friends together to watch the movie and help spread the word about this very important issue. There are also screenings throughout New York and Pennsylvania this month, and more being organized every week. Visit www.gaslandthemovie.com for updates.

If you don't have HBO, here are other opportunities to learn about the film:

• Comedy Central's The Daily Show will feature director Josh Fox on Monday, June 21 @ 11pm / 10 CT.
  
  
• NPR's Fresh Air spoke with Josh Fox on June 10. Listen to the interview on Fresh Air's website, and watch clips from the film.