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Justice Forum
Zed Nelson, UK, 2009, 48 minutes
It is the vast, sprawling complexes of oil refineries and petro-chemical plants that help make the Texan economy one of the biggest in the world. But does the wealth come at too high a price to the local community?
The idea for a documentary film about communities living in the shadow of the Texan petro-chemical industry first came to photojournalist Zed Nelson after he had worked on a cover story for UK Observer magazine. He had spent a month documenting the scale of industry emissions and the social conditions resulting from the priorities of a wealthy pro-industry state.
Texan industries are legally permitted to release millions of tons of toxic pollutants into the air each year, plus thousands of tons more in ‘accidental’ or ‘unscheduled’ releases. When these incidents happen, local residents are told to stay in their homes and tape up their windows and doors. This procedure is called ‘Shelter in Place.’
Communities living on the fenceline of Texan industry are usually poor, African American and feel powerless to protest. But when their houses stink, their children get sick and they’re forced to stay indoors during the hot Texas summer, some decide to rise up and take industry to court.
Beautifully photographed by Nelson, the film has a rich southern blues soundtrack featuring Blind Willie Johnson. Shelter in Place is a powerful and emotionally engaging portrait of a fenceline community who share their neighbourhood with some of the largest refineries in the world and fight to find their voice.
North American premiere
Discussion to follow with:
 Dr. Penny Gurstein
Director, School of Community and Regional Planning, UBC
Dr. Penny Gurstein is Professor and Director of the School of Community and Regional Planning and the Centre for Human Settlements at UBC. She specializes in the socio-cultural aspects of community planning with particular emphasis on those who are the most marginalized in planning processes. Her research focuses on developing strategies and interventions that encourage diversity, equity and urban sustainability in the planning and design of communities.
“Justice is the just (fair, equitable, ethical) distribution of wealth and resources.
Director’s biography
Zed Nelson is an internationally renowned photojournalist-turned-filmmaker who has won numerous documentary photography awards. He has photographed and written features for the Observer Magazine, the Sunday Times magazine and TIME magazine. From the war in Sierra Leone, to back-stage with the Rolling Stones, Zed’s work is challenging and diverse, but always about people and the world we have made for ourselves.
» Website
Preceded by:
Texas Gold
Carolyn Scott, USA, 2005, 21 minutes
Diane Wilson, a 4th generation fisher, took on petro-chemical industry giants when she discovered her small Texas county was named most toxic place in America. Witness to the mass die-off of dolphins along the Gulf Coast and the death of her once thriving fishing community, Diane took action. Texas Gold recounts the civil disobedience that made her Public Enemy #1 to the industries that spill toxins into our air, soil and water.
Best Documentary, New York City Short Film Festival 2005
» Website
Screening Partner
Justice Forum Presented by
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