Financial Times: Rich vein of fracking mined for cinema

In the real world, disputes over natural gas production often pit billion-dollar companies against individual landowners. In films, it is the industry’s opponents that command the big battalions.

Promised Land, a fictional account of a gas company’s nefarious tactics, stars and is co-written by Hollywood A-lister Matt Damon, and the supporting cast includes the reliably excellent Frances McDormand and John Krasinski.

Gus Van Sant, who worked with Damon on the acclaimed Good Will Hunting, directs, and Dave Eggers, the best-selling writer, worked on the story.

One of the backers is Image Nation Abu Dhabi, a film investment company owned by the government of the oil-rich emirate.

Taking on this entertainment industry Goliath is the David of FrackNation, the latest in the genre of agitprop documentaries, this time arguing in favour of gas production. It was made for just $150,000 and its co-producer and narrator is Phelim McAleer, a former Financial Times journalist, who, as even his closest friends would concede, cannot match Damon for looks and star-power.

In this unequal contest, the result is a draw.  MORE