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Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands

Play trailer Poster for Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands 2009 43m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
A study shows the environmental threats posed by a proposed large-scale oil extraction at Alberta's Tar Sands.

Critics Reviews

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Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard 05/20/2010
3/5
Peter Mettler, its director, is trying to show how the second largest oil reserve in the world, which emits more CO2 each day than all the vehicles in Canada, has despoiled a track of the boreal forest as big as England. Go to Full Review Cath Clarke Guardian 05/14/2010
3/5
This timely oil industry documentary from Greenpeace is only 43 minutes long, but stunning, fugue-like aerial photography justifies its cinema release. Go to Full Review Nigel Andrews Financial Times 05/13/2010
4/5
Peeled-back forests; outflow lakes black with bitumen; valleys eczema'd by excavation; it is at once scary, nightmarish and oddly beautiful. Go to Full Review Brian D. Johnson Maclean's Magazine 07/26/2019
Petropolis is a motion picture quite unlike anything we've seen, a monumental oil-painting-in-progress. It has to be seen to be believed, and even then you wonder: what the hell was that? Go to Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall 05/20/2010
4/5
Sumptuous cinematography gives this documentary an artistic feel that makes it almost hypnotic as mainly aerial cameras explore the world's second biggest oil reserve. But even with minimal text, it still makes its point with elegant simplicity. Go to Full Review Kevin Harley Total Film 05/20/2010
4/4
Little narration is needed: sweeping shots of the truly overwhelming natural terrain are as awesome as anything in Avatar. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/16/2013 A must see for all Canadians, especially for previous environmental skeptics like me. It adds to the debate, and surprisingly offers rare perspectives you may not thought of previously See more 02/12/2012 Boring if you don't know what you are getting into. It is very informative though, there is nothing good coming out of Fort McMurray that is for sure. Living there it's weird seeing a overhead view of the entire area. See more 11/25/2011 this film may contain content that is really embarrassing on national and human race levels! See more 04/08/2011 On the plus side, this looks great! I mean, yes it is shots of the oil sands, but it does make them look good! The problem is that they go on for 40 minutes before anyone talks and then the movie is over so it starts to get redundant. VERY redundant! And dull, therefore. See more 03/18/2011 Rent Baraka or Koyaanisqatsi instead. See more 02/09/2011 If you're looking to offset that Canadian pride you gained from last year's Olympics, give this film about the Alberta Tar Sands a viewing. Not much dialogue, just depressing, disgusting aerial views of a toxic wasteland the size of England. Oh Canada. See more Read all reviews
Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Mettler

Director

Peter Mettler

Actor

Spencer Tripp

Executive Producer

Sandy Hunter

Producer

Laura Severinac

Producer

Vincent Hänni

Original Music
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Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands

Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands (2009) Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands (2009) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A study shows the environmental threats posed by a proposed large-scale oil extraction at Alberta's Tar Sands.
Director
Peter Mettler
Producer
Sandy Hunter, Laura Severinac
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 25, 2017
Runtime
43m