where 11th Hour shallowly addressed a wide variety of topics, “Crude Impact” goes deep and expansive on the political, environmental, and cultural costs of American dependence on oil.

Various scientists, analysts, politicos and others add talking-head commentary in a smooth package that makes good use of archival materials, especially some campy old educational cartoons that add fleeting levity to a grim message.

The 22nd edition of the Santa Barbara Film Festival was dominated by a diverse mix of world premieres. Crude Impact shared the Social Justice Award with The Ground Truth.

Crude Impact aims to portray all of the various social ills — political instability in the Middle East, corruption and poverty in the developing world, air pollution and environmental degradation, sprawl and traffic — associated with modern society’s reliance on oil.

from The Fund for Santa Barbara For the eighth consecutive year, the Fund for Santa Barbara has partnered with the Santa Barbara International Film Festival to offer the Social Justice Award for Documentary Film. The award is given annually to a film that makes a particular contribution to advancing social justice.

Crude Impact is a terrific film. I have no hesitation in saying it is the best documentary I have seen on the subject… The cinematography, iconic images, symbolism, soundtrack and the overall production quality are absolutely top notch.

I had been looking forward to seeing it for some time, and I found it to be an extremely well-made film which clearly and passionately presents the argument that we are at or near the peak, which will be a transition of historic importance.

Crude Impact is a tiny, meaningful cry in the silence and should prove to be a useful tool for activists and organizers.

Crude Impact — a shocking look at the devastation inflicted on the rest of the world by our country’s wanton addiction to oil.

More concrete than other docs on the implications of big oil, Crude Impact presents an incontestable series of experts and lecture-style graphics to prove our addiction to Texas tea has disastrously impacted the world’s population, economy, and environment.