SDH Captioned
Grades 10 -12, College, Adults
Directed by Beth Gage & George Gage
Produced by Gage & Gage Productions
DVD Purchase $295, Rent $95
US Release Date: 2013
Copyright Date: 2013
DVD ISBN: 1-93777-247-0
Subjects
Activism
American Studies
Anthropology
Citizenship and Civics
Civil Disobedience
Climate Change/Global Warming
Community
Criminology
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Justice
Ethics
Geography
Government
Human Rights
Law
Mining
Political Science
Social Justice
Sociology
Awards and Festivals
Best US Feature Film, Traverse City Film Festival
Moving Mountains Award, Mountainfilm in Telluride
People's Choice & Spirit of Activism Awards, Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
Best Film & Audience Award, Frozen River Film Festival
Audience Choice & Green Fire Awards, American Conservation Film Festival
Best of Festival & Best of Category Awards, Montana Cine Film Festival
Best Documentary & Act Now Awards, Crested Butte Film Festival
Fork in the Road Award, Greentopia Film Festival
Audience Award, Driftless Film Festival
Human Rights Watch Film Festival
United Nations Association International Film Festival
Mill Valley Film Festival
Cleveland International Film Festival
Starz Denver Film Festival
Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital
Ojai Film Festival
Bend Film Festival
Sedona Film Festival
Hero Film Festival
Idyllwild Film Festival
Boulder International Film Festival
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
San Louis Obispo International Film Festival
Project Native Film Festival
Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival
World Community Film Festival
Tells the story of Tim DeChristopher's extraordinary, ingenious and effective act of civil disobedience drawing attention to the need for action on climate change.
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"One man's story that speaks volumes about what's at stake for all of us." Will Potter, author of Green Is the New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege |
BIDDER 70 is Tim DeChristopher, the student who monkey-wrenched the 2008 fraudulent Bureau of Land Management Oil and Gas Lease Auction. Bidding $1.8 million to save 22,000 acres of pristine Utah wilderness surrounding Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, with no intention to pay or drill, Tim brought the BLM auction to an abrupt halt. A month later, Barack Obama became president and on February 4, 2009, new Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar, invalidated the entire BLM Auction.
Nevertheless, DeChristopher was indicted on two federal felonies facing penalties of up to ten years in prison and $750,000 in fines. During the two years awaiting his trial, DeChristopher stepped up his activism, evolved into a climate justice leader, and waited through nine trial postponements until, on February 28, 2011 his trial began. BIDDER 70 is Tim's journey from economics student to incarcerated felon.
Amonst those featured are Bill McKibben, James Hansen, Robert Redford, John Schuchardt, David Harris, Larry Gibson, Terry Tempest Williams, and members of Salt Lake City's Peaceful Uprising.
Reviews
"It's easy to feel helpless in the face of corporate power and the growing environmental crisis. It's easy to feel despair. Bidder 70 is about what's possible when we stop being afraid, and start acting on our conscience; a smart, candid look at one man's story that speaks volumes about what's at stake for all of us."
Will Potter, independent journalist, author of Green Is the New Red: An Insider's Account of a Social Movement Under Siege
"Bidder 70 highlights one of the most important contemporary examples of environmental civil disobedience...In following Tim DeChristopher's development from a student to one of the most charismatic and dedicated leaders of the climate movement, this documentary not only discusses the importance of addressing climate change, but the value of civil disobedience in bringing about social change. This is a powerful film that will inspire students to question their commitment to the world and to fight against global injustices."
Sean Parson, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Northern Arizona University
"Tim DeChristopher's courage is a clarion call for citizens to face up to the dangers of climate change and to take seriously the provocative questions Bidder 70 raises about the necessity of civil disobedience in twenty-first century America."
Charles R. DiSalvo, Professor of Law, West Virginia University, Author, M.K. Gandhi, Attorney at Law: The Man Before the Mahatma
"Is Tim DeChristopher an unrepentant folk hero?...Was he prepared to pay the consequences, even if it meant going to prison? Viewers can choose for themselves what they might have done in this intriguing story of civil disobedience that questions public lands policy and industry control over a key federal agency."
Dr. Jacqueline Vaughn, Professor of Political Science, Northern Arizona University, Author, Conflicts in Natural Resources
"BIDDER 70 depicts the highs and lows of activism. We see more than just the story of DeChristopher--we see how he plays a part in a vast social network of environmental activists. With its focus on tactical innovation in environmental social movements, as well as its depiction of the frustration of working through the government and legal system, this film would work well in college courses on social movements, environmental sociology, political science, and criminology. I look forward to using it in my Environmental Social Movements class!"
Dr. Elizabeth Cherry, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Manhattanville College
"Tim DeChristopher is known as an economics student who went to jail because he disrupted a controversial federal oil lease auction. This movie allows DeChristopher to tell the rest of the story. Bidder 70 shows how DeChristopher's concerns about climate change, preserving southern Utah's iconic wilderness, and corporate involvement in democratic governance sparked a broader debate about civil disobedience in the twenty-first century."
John Copeland Nagle, Professor of Law, University of Notre Dame, Author, Law's Environment: How the Law Shapes the Places We Live
"Highly inspirational....Without the slightest tinge of manipulation, Bidder 70 convinces us that these people really do care about the fate of humankind and that we're entrapped in a legal system that is, environmentally speaking, still set on driving us off a cliff."
Kalvin Henely, Slant Magazine
"A well-made and affecting documentary...A beautifully told story of a hero's journey filled with passion and sacrifice that tugs at the head and heart to the final scene."
Deb Lake, Executive Director, Traverse City Film Festival
"A popular appeal befitting the newly energized movement DeChristopher helped create...Bidder 70 is ultimately about people power and one of the many forms it can take. By the film's end, DeChristopher's audacious direct action seems not only heroic, but also accessible, possible, and perhaps one of the few real ways forward."
Samantha Herndon, Yes! Magazine
"Inspiring...Directors Beth and George Gage brilliantly tell the story of climate activist Tim DeChristopher...DeChristopher's actions and sacrifices draw attention to the lack of an American energy policy that eliminates subsidies to the fossil fuel industry and creates a path toward a renewable energy future."
Stefanie Penn Spear, Huffington Post
"A gripping personal story that reveals just how bizarre and twisted our justice system can be...A straight up and compelling story. The film has no gimmickry. It doesn't need it. The story is that good, and the filmmakers have understood and presented all of the elements necessary to make its message personal and affecting. This must-see film will give you a better understanding of the environmental movement, and will change the way you think."
Jennifer Merin, About.com
"Topped my list for the most inspiring film."
Stephanie Penn Spears, EcoWatch
"Powerful, intelligent and very entertaining, BIDDER 70 will show you how one person can change the world."
Frank Marshall, Kennedy-Marshall Company
"A film everyone needs to see, even if you think you're well-informed about political issues, environmentalism, and global climate change."
Ashland Independent Film Festival