Wiebo's War
Encyclopedia
Wiebo's War is a 2011 Canadian documentary about accused eco-terrorist Wiebo Ludwig
, directed by David York.
Ludwig was first approached by York in 2008. Filming began in late 2008 and continued into 2010, with York living as a guest in the isolated Ludwig family compound in the community of Trickle Creek, approximately 450 kilometres northwest of Edmonton
. The film documents a stillbirth
and a string of miscarriage
s among Ludwig family members, as well as livestock
deaths, which Ludwigs attribute to sour gas
from nearby gas wells. In one scene, Ludwig home video
shows Wiebo holding the stillborn infant, while in another, a family member ignites water from the kitchen tap. During filming in early 2010, Ludwig was arrested as a suspect in bombings of sour-gas installations in nearby British Columbia
. The film also explores Ludwig's religious views, with excerpts from a four-hour conversation between the atheist film director and Wiebo and his sons, who tell York that he is living in a “terrible darkness.”
and its North American premiere at the 2011 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. The film opened theatrically in Canada on October 14, 2011 in Ottawa
.
for 52 Media and Bonnie Thompson for the National Film Board of Canada
(NFB). The executive producers are David Christensen (NFB) and David York (52 Media).
Wiebo Ludwig
Wiebo Ludwig is the leader of a compound in Trickle Creek, just outside Hythe,Alberta, Canada, who is best known for his legal problems arising from his conflict with the oil and gas industry. Ludwig has been accused of being an eco-terrorist for sabotaging oil and gas wells...
, directed by David York.
Ludwig was first approached by York in 2008. Filming began in late 2008 and continued into 2010, with York living as a guest in the isolated Ludwig family compound in the community of Trickle Creek, approximately 450 kilometres northwest of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
. The film documents a stillbirth
Stillbirth
A stillbirth occurs when a fetus has died in the uterus. The Australian definition specifies that fetal death is termed a stillbirth after 20 weeks gestation or the fetus weighs more than . Once the fetus has died the mother still has contractions and remains undelivered. The term is often used in...
and a string of miscarriage
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the spontaneous end of a pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving independently, generally defined in humans at prior to 20 weeks of gestation...
s among Ludwig family members, as well as livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
deaths, which Ludwigs attribute to sour gas
Sour gas
Sour gas is natural gas or any other gas containing significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide . Natural gas is usually considered sour if there are more than 5.7 milligrams of H2S per cubic meter of natural gas, which is equivalent to approximately 4 ppm by volume...
from nearby gas wells. In one scene, Ludwig home video
Home video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
shows Wiebo holding the stillborn infant, while in another, a family member ignites water from the kitchen tap. During filming in early 2010, Ludwig was arrested as a suspect in bombings of sour-gas installations in nearby British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The film also explores Ludwig's religious views, with excerpts from a four-hour conversation between the atheist film director and Wiebo and his sons, who tell York that he is living in a “terrible darkness.”
Release
Wiebo's War had its world premiere at the Thessaloniki Documentary FestivalThessaloniki Documentary Festival
The Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – Images of the 21st Century is a film festival specialising in documentary films which takes place every March in Thessaloniki and is affiliated with the International Thessaloniki Film Festival.-History:...
and its North American premiere at the 2011 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. The film opened theatrically in Canada on October 14, 2011 in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.
Credits
Wiebo's War is produced by David York, Bryn Hughes and Nick HectorNick Hector
Nick Hector is a Canadian film editor.Hector is a ten-time Gemini Award nominee. Hector collaborated with legendary Canadian filmmaker Allan King and exclusively cut his films during the last decade of King's career...
for 52 Media and Bonnie Thompson for the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
(NFB). The executive producers are David Christensen (NFB) and David York (52 Media).
External links
- Film website, 52 Media
- Film website, National Film Board of Canada