There Will Be Blood is an epic fable about modern fossil fuel production. It tells the story of Daniel Plainview’s quest to dominate the oil industry in California. Oil is not only a theme of the film, but a force actively shaping industrial America and relations between the characters.
This free screening and discussion is designed to open a space for reflection and conversation about oil, specifically how the film represents broader historical, ideological and geological forces involved in fossil fuel extraction. The discussion will be led by Demelza Marlin and Craig Johnson.
This is the first in a series of four “Earlwood Farm Presents…” events at Verge Gallery exploring different art forms and their capacity to represent environmental issues and mobilise political thought and action.
Speaker Profiles:
Dr Demelza Marlin received her PhD from UNSW in the Sociology of Religion. Her thesis was on Max Weber and the spirit of capitalism. She has also written about the sacred, semiotics and belonging. Last year she undertook an experiment on economic value and generosity called The Freestall.
Dr Craig Johnson is a renewable energy engineer, musician and Earlwood farmer.
Notes:
Please feel free to attend either or both the screening and the discussion. We recognize many people will have seen this film, so you can just come for the discussion if you like.
This event will be audio recorded. For more information and questions please contact: rsvp at earlwoodfarm dot com
Image Credit: Oil Scene near La Habra, California, 1920s. Photo Courtesy of Orange County Archives