#REVIEW: “HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Daniel Goldhaber won all the praise at TIFF ’22 with HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE, which he co-wrote, directed and produced this adaptation of the novel by Andreas Malm.  The fast-paced, intense Thriller went on to take the Platform Prize at the Festival for its artistry and strong vision.

At the center of the story are a group of young people, brought together to stop the development of a pipeline. They plot to destroy it in the name of self-defence – but not without struggle. Pipelines result in deforestation, deaths and the destruction of habitats for many species.

We meet Xochiti (Ariela Barer, who also co-wrote and produced the Film), who loses her mother. She and her friend Theo (Sasha Lane) grew-up in Long Beach, which is plagued by pollution and the latter is diagnosed with Lieukemia. Michael (Forrest Goodluck) is known for his online videos where he demonstrates how to make bombs, while also upsetting his mother by getting into trouble harassing workers at the oil rig. He is enlisted to help. Shawn (Marcus Scribner) joins the cause also, believing in the need for change and while filming a Documentary, he meets Dwyane (Jake Weary) who actually resides on land that that the government has the right to seize from him.  Everyone has a different motive for wanting to destroy the pipeline, and everyone is they are ready to risk it all.

Goldhaber does a masterful job at telling this story, building things up to a boil and making us wait for it. The Film always feels urgent and there is the lingering sense that something is about to go horribly wrong. This conscious Ocean’s Eleven if you will, kept us on the edge of our seat, wondering if the group will get away with it all. Even if they do accomplish the task, do they really win if they have to face the music when caught? HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE is fearless and unforgiving, yet honest in its intentions, really helping understand the train of thought that goes behind radical thinking. The reality our future generations face could be a grim one and it is sobering to see this level of concern about it all.

We get some fantastic performances from this talented young Ensemble, led by Barer who is the heart and soul of the story and also Lane, who continues to build upon a limited, yet quality body of work. Through their eyes, this whole issue comes to focus so clearly and if you didn’t have an opinion about the matter beforehand, it’s difficult to walk away without having one after. And that’s a testament to the Film’s impact.

Elevation Pictures release HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE April 14, 2023.