Above All Else
US, 2014, 95 min, English OV
Directed by: John Fiege
How far would you go to defend your home?
In this dramatic, firsthand account of activists on the front line of the
struggle for climate justice, one man risks it all to stop the dirty tar
sands oil of the Keystone XL pipeline from crossing his land. Shot in the
forests, pastures, and living rooms of rural East Texas, ABOVE ALL ELSE
follows David Daniel, a retired stunt man and high-wire artist, as he
rallies neighbors and activists to join him in a final act of
brinkmanship: a tree-top blockade of the controversial $7 billion dollar
pipeline. What begins as a stand against corporate encroachments on one
man’s land becomes a rallying cry for climate protesters worldwide.
Risking financial ruin, their personal safety, and the security of their
families, the unforgettable protagonists and their stories become an
exploration of the human spirit and a window into how social change
happens.
Awards:
Dallas International Film Festival: Siverheart Special Jury Prize
Global Visions Film Festival: Best North American Documentary