The crime that is happening now is fraud. In all three communities, buyers are drawn to the attractive new homes in quiet suburban communities. Buyers are led to believe the area is safe. Once they buy their home, they get sick and can’t sell their homes because the area is dangerous. Stone goes undercover with the city or as prospective buyers to local real estate agents to show they’ll claim the areas are safe or have no knowledge of past accidents.
Toxic Sh!t is a DIY documentary film, and the filmmaking quality of the documentary reflects that. Stone represents herself and other concerned homeowners as the “David” in this fight. The film consists primarily of talking-head interviews and her hidden camera footage. Interviews are mixed in with archival footage and stock video clips. I mention all this not to cast a negative shadow on the film but illustrate that the cards are stacked against Stone and her community.
The stories in Toxic Sh!t are compelling, which leads to my only criticism of the film. But, unfortunately, much of the evidence in the film is anecdotal, and the causal relationship between the actions of these corporations and the tragic deaths and sicknesses is not firmly established. So, before you label me a heartless science denier, I bring it up only to state that stories are not enough to prove a case, while AT THE SAME TIME, showing the actual uphill battle the film’s subjects are up against.
“Documentaries are among the few ‘stones’ we citizens have to take down ‘Goliath.'”
Corporations and governments have a large money war chest and lawyers on retainer to swat back any meager homeowner or community protest. If Rocketdyne, Raybestos, or the city councils that approved these real estate development deals ever admitted they knew how dangerous the areas were, they would be sued for billions. So for them, it’s best that these tragic stories go unheard. On the other hand, DIY filmmakers have very little money to make the film, much less hire environmental researchers free of political influence. All filmmakers have is the moxie to keep an issue alive long enough for the rest of the world to take notice… that’s us.
Stone successfully captures her subjects’ utter frustration about the situation, and it’s hard as an audience member not to feel frustrated and angry with them. To me, the best piece of advice from Toxic Sh!t was the idea that you are responsible for your own health and well-being. Don’t rely solely on the government at any level regarding your safety. The communities were told by their elected officials that their land and resources (like drinking water) were safe. Politicians are driven by their political self-interest. Your safety comes second to those who have the money to keep them in power.
To me, though the evidence presented throughout Toxic Sh!t may not be the strongest, but it’s still strong enough to demand that new leadership needs to come into these communities and investigate these claims seriously and make someone accountable for the past and in finding a solution for the future.
Visit the official website of Toxic Sh!t at http://www.pacefilms.com/
"…successfully captures her subjects' utter frustration..."
