Mossville: When Great Trees Fall is a poignant documentary film from 2019 that showcases the struggles of a historic African-American community in Louisiana that is threatened by toxic pollution from a nearby factory. The movie is directed by Alexander Glustrom and produced by Daniel Bennett, Gregory S. Jacobs, and Alexandra Johnes. Stacey Ryan is one of the key figures in the movie, serving as an environmental justice advocate who fights for the rights of the residents of Mossville.
The movie opens with a stunning aerial view of Mossville, a small town near Lake Charles, Louisiana, that was founded by freed slaves more than a century ago. The town has a rich history and culture, but its residents have been facing an existential threat for decades from a big petrochemical plant that has been emitting a toxic stew of chemicals into the air, water, and soil. The plant is owned by Sasol, a global energy and chemicals company that has invested billions of dollars in the area, promising jobs, growth, and progress.
The movie presents a compelling case that the promise of a better future has come at a steep price for the people of Mossville. Many of them have suffered from respiratory illnesses, cancer, and other health problems that they attribute to the pollution from the plant. The movie features interviews with several Mossville residents, who share their personal stories of loss, resilience, and resistance. They speak eloquently about their love for their community, their struggles to stay alive and healthy, and their faith in a better tomorrow.
Stacey Ryan is one of the heroes of the movie, as she works tirelessly to advocate for the rights of Mossville residents. Ryan grew up in Mossville, but left the town to study engineering at Louisiana State University. She returns to Mossville as an activist, determined to use her skills and knowledge to fight for environmental justice. The movie shows Ryan organizing community meetings, leading protests, collaborating with lawyers and scientists, and testifying at public hearings. She is a powerful voice for the people of Mossville, and the movie captures her energy, passion, and commitment.
The movie also sheds light on the complex social and political dynamics that underpin the environmental crisis in Mossville. The town is situated in a region that has a long history of slavery, segregation, racism, and environmental injustice. The movie features archival footage of the civil rights movement, as well as interviews with historians, activists, and scholars who explain the roots of the systemic oppression that Mossville residents face. The movie argues that the environmental crisis in Mossville cannot be separated from the larger context of structural inequality and systemic racism that pervades American society.
The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning images of the natural beauty of the area, as well as the stark contrast between the idyllic scenery and the industrial landscape of the plant. The movie also features a haunting soundtrack, with original music by the composer Benh Zeitlin, who collaborated with the filmmakers on his Oscar-nominated debut feature film, Beasts of the Southern Wild. The music adds to the emotional impact of the movie, capturing the sorrow, anger, and hope of the people of Mossville.
Mossville: When Great Trees Fall is a powerful and timely documentary film that raises urgent questions about the price of progress, the rights of communities, and the urgent need for environmental justice. The movie is a testament to the resilience and courage of the people of Mossville, who refuse to be silenced or defeated by the forces of pollution and neglect. The movie is a call to action for all of us to stand in solidarity with the people of Mossville, and to demand a better future for all humanity.
Mossville: When Great Trees Fall is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.
