Drill Baby Drill

In the east of Poland near the Ukrainian border, there is an agricultural area known as the "lungs of Poland," owing to its clean air and fertile soil. Here, farmers have lived for generations on the land, growing grain and keeping livestock. They all have their own well with clear, clean water. One day, the locals find out that one of the biggest power companies in the world, Chevron, is planning to drill in the area for shale gas. Initially, not everyone is opposed to these plans: they realize that new forms of energy are needed and hope that the region will profit from a new economic impulse. The mood quickly changes, however, when information comes to light about the harmful effects of shale gas drilling on public health and the environment, and when it becomes clear that Chevron is not prepared to be completely open about this. Led by the mayor and his wife, a village decides to take on the multinational. Documentary filmmaker Lech Kowalski records the protests – regularly hampered by employees of Chevron – and illustrates the story with images from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, where drilling for shale gas has been going on for some time.