This new environmental film is a must see for anyone interested in making a change. On December 2005, Daniel McGowan was arrested by Federal agents in a nationwide sweep of radical environmentalists involved with the Earth Liberation Front– a group the FBI has called America’s “number one domestic terrorism threat.”
For years, the ELF—operating in separate anonymous cells without any central leadership—had launched spectacular arsons against dozens of businesses they accused of destroying the environment: timber companies, SUV dealerships, wild horse slaughterhouses, and a $12 million ski lodge at Vail, Colorado.
With the arrest of Daniel and thirteen others, the government had cracked what was probably the largest ELF cell in America and brought down the group responsible for the very first ELF arsons in this country.
IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT tells the remarkable story of the rise and fall of this ELF cell, by focusing on the transformation and radicalization of one of its members.
Part coming-of-age tale, part cops-and-robbers thrilller, part environmental film, it interweaves a verite chronicle of Daniel on house arrest as he faces life in prison, with a dramatic recounting of the events that led to his involvement with the group. And along the way it asks hard questions about environmentalism, activism, and the way we define terrorism.
Drawing from striking archival footage — much of it never before seen — and intimate interviews with ELF members, and with the prosecutor and detective who were chasing them, IF A TREE FALLS explores the tumultuous period from 1995 until early 2001 when environmentalists were clashing with timber companies and law enforcement, and the word “terrorism” had not yet been altered by 9/11.
“It’s a wildly successful and engaging documentary.”
-Jon Reiss, NY Press
“This summer’s most urgent documentary…. The vibe alternates between an early Clash concert and a dark, dark twist on Ocean’s 11.”
- Abe Streep, Outside Magazine
“The film sweeps us up like a thriller… a fantastic moral ambivalence.”
- Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
“A true life outlaw tale, as stirring as it is tragic, the story of the Earth Liberation Front offers a DeLillo-flavored draught of high-proof righteous excitement.”
- Michael Atkinson, The Village Voice
“A compelling doc about radical environmentalism… informative, compelling.”
- Justin Lowe, Hollywood Reporter
“This is a sterling example of journalistic documentary, clearer, fairer and more engrossing than any of the sensationalistic newspaper or magazine stories about the ELF.”
- Andrew O’Hehir, Salon.com
“An intriguing and important environmental film… As director Marshall Curry said at his Sundance post-screening Q&A: “The film has a point of view, but a grown-up point of view that acknowledges the complexity of the situation.”
- Stewart Nusbaumer, Filmmaker Magazine
“5-stars: [The] filmmakers raise questions and stir public debate about the definition of terrorism, especially in the post 9/11 security environment…very compelling. ”
- Jennifer Merin, About.com Documentaries
“If a Tree Falls’ is nothing if not troubling, complicated and thought-provoking… [the film] provided a common text from which everybody — radical or moderate, liberal or conservative — was able to work, interpret, converse. This common ground paired with the power of narrative establishes a strong ally for the environmental community and a bridge across divided ideologies and hopes.”
- Dylan Walsh,, Yale Daily News
“The film’s sobriety and carefully balanced arguments make it an exemplary piece.”
-Stephen Holden, New York Times
“One of the more personal and intimate environmental docs in recent memory…. It’s a powerful tale; one guaranteed to generate heated discussion.”
-Steve Ramos, Box Office Magazine
“It gains much of its considerable power because of its ability to illuminate the complexities behind the actions.”
-Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
“Manages to not only provide extraordinary insight into this formerly clandestine group, but illuminates the group’s actions without excusing them.”
- Neal Morris, Independent Weekly
