Anya Tikka | Democrat Conservative Party Chair Steve Burke at The Sullivan in Rock Hill during the banquet.

Rival movies hit the screen in fracking showdown

Story by Frank Rizzo
CALLICOON — June 7, 2013 — Two competing documentaries dealing with the hydrofracking issue will be screened in Callicoon next door to each other at the same time on June 8.
The pro-fracking FrackNation has been following Gasland 2 in the latter’s grassroots campaign, setting up rival showings at numerous locations across the country.
Gasland 2 will be shown at Callicoon Theatre and FrackNation next door at the Sidetracks Bar & Lounge. Both start at 10:30 a.m. with free admission to both movies.
Gasland 2, the sequel to the HBO documentary that raised awareness of fracking, is again directed by Josh Fox of Milanville, PA. The first movie received an Academy Award nomination in 2011. The director will be on hand after the show Saturday to answer questions.
FrackNation’s screening is being sponsored by the Sullivan-Delaware Property Owners Association.
“I think FrackNation’s journalism stands up against the scare stories of Gasland 2,” said director Phelim McAleer in a release. “Now the people of Callicoon will be able to make up their own minds. Fracking is a huge issue for people in the area as they can see how it has been done safely just over the state border in PA. I want people to come to see the film but also to hear their stories.”
In a statement, Fox said of his sequel, “The film features ordinary Americans whose lives have been upended by the dirty and dangerous process of fracking. We need to educate ourselves and our elected leaders and together demand an alternative.”
Fox believes federal and state officials are failing to protect the public.
FrackNation“seeks to debunk many of the major scares of the anti-fracking movement.”
The Callicoon screening of Gasland 2 has been sponsored by Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Catskill Mountainkeeper and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability. Seating is limited. For reservations contact any one of these organizations: info@catskillcitizens.org, 468-7063; info@catskillmountainkeeper.org 482-5400; dcs@DamascusCitizens. org, 252-6677.