If a Tree Falls: a Story of the Environmental Liberation Front (2011)

The recent history of the Environmental Liberation Front in the United States is chronicled here, particularly as it relates to the case of Daniel McGowan, an activist who was sentenced to seven years in jail on terrorism charges for his work with the group. An engaging documentary, for better or worse, it doesn’t stray too far into choosing a side between the activists or the companies they are fighting against. If anything the biggest enemy in the film is the overzealous justice system aggressively pursuing the activists years after committing crimes that didn’t physically hurt anyone. In particular, one detective shown is over gleeful in how McGowan’s partners were trapped into turning on each other.

Oscar Nomination: Best Documentary, Features