“An oil company vs. ordinary people.” In a Hollywood dominated world, this tagline evokes images of pretty actresses slumming it in denim and taking down large corporations with nothing but pure moxy, as the Academy of Motion Pictures has a mass orgasm. But, thankfully, this is the only cliché in Risteard O’Domhnaill’s thoroughly compelling film about the Rossport Shell to Sea campaign.
Spanning over a decade, The Pipe begins with Winning Streak-standard graphics illustrating the layout of the Mayo village and the proposed pipeline. The animation may look amateurish, but as these disappear in favour of stunning views and aerial shots of this coast-side community, O’Domhnaill’s talent becomes clear. And as it’s revealed that Shell Oil are continuing with the construction of the refinery and pipeline, not only ignoring the community’s safety concerns about the pipeline but EU regulations, a compelling David vs. Goliath battle ensues.
This is no pro-protest whitewash: weaknesses and inconsistencies among the opposition to Shell are carefully exposed. Indeed, the most absorbing segments of the film depict the divisions among the protesters themselves as they disagree over the best course of action. Pat ‘The Chief’ O’Donnell’s determination to protect his fishing territory is inspiring, as he doggedly faces down Shell’s huge ships and is repeatedly arrested only to return the next day. However, the actions of the passionate, hunger-striking Maura Harrington cause friction within the movement, as she polarises those around her. Caught in the middle – and seen by many as thoroughly compromised – are the local Gardaí, who are in the invidious position of physically facing down their neighbours, and at times do it with far too much gusto. It feels close to the bone when the protesters are shoved and hit by the gardai and the camera is pushed and jostled accordingly.
Neither Gardaí nor Shell Oil representatives made themselves available for interview for the film, and so it feels unbalanced. But as a piece of agit prop, in which the sympathies of the director are always close to the surface, The Pipe is not only a brilliantly edited and engagingly character-driven narrative, but a disturbing and timely depiction of the failings of our justice system.