Film+Annotation+4

Allison Mrugal 12/15/15 Film Annotation 4: Sust. Ed., 4280-01 Prof. Fortun
 * Shelter in Place! **

Shelter in Place depicts the town of Port Arthur, Texas, that is suffering in the shadows of big oil. Gas flares, or flammable gas released to mediate over-pressurized equipment, release near homes and are visual reminders of air pollution and refineries immediately outside or next to neighborhoods. However, big oil does not only define the barren landscape, it dominates Port Arthur’s economy and sense of community. Unemployed townspeople are compelled to work in refineries because retail has either abandoned Port Arthur or gone out of business. Oil companies create a racial and geographical divide in the corporate hierarchy. Consequently, big oil both chooses winners and loosers, expending those who do not work directly for or who are considered high up in the company.

The community and schools in Port Arthur are considered fence-line because they sit at the edge of oil refinery property. Schools and neighborhoods receive direct air current from these refineries which causes acute asthma in ultimately all children and adults. Although community members live in what they consider a “foul odor”, the toxins identifiable to human smell comprise only a portion of the total chemical exposure relative to Port Arthur citizens. While Port Arthur citizens attempt to shut out the odors and visual air pollution cues, houses in the area are poorly sealed/insulated and are equip with external air conditioning units inviting the pollution indoors. As a result, citizens and children must rely on supplements and vitamins provided to the government. Oil refineries therefore provide, in part, ‘band-aid’ solutions to Port Arthur citizens which makes them dependent on the pharmaceutical industry for survival.

Environmental injustice in the area has been recognized by filmmakers (of Shelter in Place) and lawyers, who often intend to help Port Arthur for personal, financial gains. Efforts to combat oil dominance has been insignificant in Port Arthur and portrays a larger problem at play with such power. Politics in the community are more than ‘upset’ while illegal actions go without penalization. Finding loop holes in regulation, like in allowing unintended gas flares, allows oil companies to govern the health, economy, and politics of any chosen town. Families in these towns, unable to leave to do lack of money, set up for their children a lifetime of belittlement and injustice, should the children even survive long enough to reach the average lifespan.

To combat this, the film merely intends to inform the audience, which is effective though limited. While using compelling imagery and narratives, the film tells the story of underprivileged communities and intents for the audience to understand the issue. While understanding the problem is the first step in solving it, that alone cannot help save the community of Port Arthur. The film provides little suggestion of how viewers can help. A point of intervention is potentially through education in schools near oil refineries like that in Port Arthur. Other interventions would include governmental regulation, demanding for fair compensation for damage to human lives. Furthermore, a switch to alternative fuels would decrease national reliance on oil and indirectly save the citizens of Port Arthur from further impacts from air pollution. Nonetheless, air pollution would affect genetically affect citizens in the town for generations to come.