CDP co-founders Kelsey Skaggs and Alice Cherry are featured in the upcoming film Necessity: Oil, Water, and Climate Resistance. Directed by Jan Haaken and Samantha Praus, this feature-length documentary tells the story of climate activists and attorneys as they work to resist pipelines carrying tar sands oil—the most polluting fuel on the planet—from Canada into the United States. The trailer is available here.
Much of the filming took place during the trial of Valve Turners Emily Johnston and Annette Klapstein in Minnesota. The film follows Kelsey and Alice’s work on the trial as they prepare to present the necessity defense, arguing that the threat of climate change is a greater harm than the actions of protesters engaged in nonviolent civil disobedience. The film also features water protectors from Honor the Earth and considers another necessity defense case, in which activists protested at a Duluth branch of Wells Fargo, which finances pipelines.
The film combines intimate interviews with striking footage of Minnesota’s beautiful lakes and forests along with disquieting images of its growing fossil fuel infrastructure. Intended to be both educational and beautiful to watch, the film creates an aesthetic and emotional experience that engages the audience on the important issue of climate change.
Find out more on the film’s website, Facebook, and Instagram: @necessitythemovie.
