Faces of the Oil Patch

One Book Film Night: Faces of the Oil Patch

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
  • Library Hall

A special documentary screening in honor of our 2017 One Book Steamboat community read.
Most people have heard that it’s “rockin’ in the Bakken,” but what does that mean to the residents of the Williston Basin? This documentary film explores the new visage of the oil patch in North Dakota in the words of the people who live and work in these communities.

The film shows towns that lack the infrastructure to support the uncontrolled and dramatic growth, the ranchers who now view bumper-to-bumper traffic all day rather than the rare vehicle traveling along the two-lane horizon to horizon, and the oil workers who earn huge salaries but live in makeshift housing without hope of finding homes suitable for their families. The narratives and stunning video are woven together with visual images captured by noted still photographer Wayne Gudmundson to show everyday life and the changing landscape of northwestern North Dakota.

Thank you to Prairie Public Television for generous support of this free community screening in Steamboat Springs. Production funding for this film was provided by North Dakota Humanities Council, North Dakota Council on the Arts and the members of Prairie Public.

This is a featured event in the ONE BOOK STEAMBOAT 2017 community read of Alexandra Fuller's nonfiction book, The Legend of Colton H. Bryant.