Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal

A sober, angering and ultimately stirring account of ordinary women turning fear into political force.

Directed by

Jamila Ephron

Genres

Documentary

Tagline

A toxic secret just beneath their feet

Overview

Poisoned Ground: The Tragedy at Love Canal tells the dramatic and inspiring story of the ordinary women who fought against overwhelming odds for the health and safety of their families. In the late 1970s, residents of Love Canal, a working-class neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, discovered that their homes, schools and playgrounds were built on top of a former chemical waste dump, which was now leaking toxic substances and wreaking havoc on their health. Through interviews with many of the extraordinary housewives turned activists, the film shows how they effectively challenged those in power, forced America to reckon with the human cost of unregulated industry, and created a grassroots movement that galvanized the landmark Superfund Bill.

How it feels

Earnest, tense, melancholic and uplifting. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Environment, family, justice, power

Content

Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)