Educational Media Reviews Online

Energy War is an excellent documentary that looks at the world’s dependency on oil, and the economic and political ramifications thereof. It begins by examining the volatile relationship between Russia and Georgia. Georgia has expressed open resentment towards Russia, who supplies this former Soviet Republic with oil. This is but one example of the vulnerability of a country dependent upon an oil rich nation, unafraid of using its key resource for leverage. The documentary also briefly explores the eyebrow-raising partnership between Iran and Venezuela.

Author Thomas Friedman makes a series of astute observations, examining the entire petroleum landscape and how it affects democracy. Friedman’s insights and straightforward assessments are offered throughout. He coins some terms such as “petro-authoritarian regimes” to spell out his analyses. Similarly, author Kenneth Deffeyes forecasts the outcomes of an exhausting oil supply. The documentary concludes with a discussion of alternate energy sources and the need for government sponsored incentive programs.

This work is earnest and relentless, owing largely to Friedman’s body language and dramatic delivery. It is visually clever, using images such as the familiar “low gas” indicator light from a vehicle dashboard when presenting natural energy alternatives. In a time when grand amounts of attention are being paid to the environmental consequences of fossil fuel use, this documentary gives the viewer a much needed look into the worldwide daily consequences on the political level.