A film by award winning writer & director Lou Douros
SHAFTED explores whether Rise Gold Corp’s plan will devastate the people, the environment, and the economy of Grass Valley, California
REPEATING HISTORY
In 2015, Banks Island Gold LTD, a Canadian mining company in British Columbia, was accused of an environmental spill on traditional tribal lands. In order to avoid costly clean up and prosecution, the company declared bankruptcy, leaving the devastation to the Canadian and Gitxaala First Nations governments.
Today, in Grass Valley California, the same failed principals have secured the rights to a gold mine worth hundreds of billions of dollars. As a newly-minted entity, Rise Gold Corp plans to use the same playbook they executed in British Columbia – take advantage of small-town folks, strip the valuable resources, and inflate the value of their stock. If history is any indication, Rise Gold will destroy the land, watersheds, and local economy and leave destruction in their wake.
Film Trailer:
“My approach to this unscripted story is to present every subject matter expert, regardless of their position, as the best possible version of him/herself. Cinematographer, Larry Huntington and I have deep respect for the audience. We’ll put what we’ve discovered on screen and hope it will help dispel myths and clarify information coming from both sides.”
“There are a lot of emotions tied up in this story. Those supporting the mine promise an economic boom. But those opposed voice many environmental concerns. The goal of this film is to pressure Rise Grass Valley to be honest and accountable and to drive their opposition to clearly defend their case. This is not as easy as it sounds. We can only help someone tell their own story if they’ll engage with us on camera. Not everyone who should appear in this film is eager to participate. Unfortunately, if they don’t tell their story, somebody else will.”
The team has set up a GoFundMe Campaign to offset some of the expenses of preproduction & development. Both Douros (North Yuke Films) and Huntington (Enterstellar Films) have decades of experience and their own cinema production equipment. “Shafted” has a lean budget and committed Nevada County filmmakers who care deeply about what happens economically and environmentally in their own backyards. The team has exceptional local knowledge and gained unprecedented access to key players in the story.
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