Oil on Ice previews in Santa Cruz

A preview showing of Oil on Ice will take place at The Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz May 27, 2004. Highlighting the controversies surrounding the pursuit of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this hour-long documentary illustrates the inextricably linked issues at stake in the conflict between conservation and energy extraction interests.

This will be the first public viewing of the completed documentary. It is targeted for film festival distribution this summer.

“Our screening could not come at a better time,” said Dale Djerassi, producer of Oil on Ice. “With gas prices climbing higher and the increasing pressure by the administration to drill, it’s critical the American people understand the big picture. We need to understand the true cost of oil consumption.”

The documentary is being shown in conjunction with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s presentation of Eating Caribou, presented by Adeline Peter Raboff. Through first-hand accounts and pictures, Eating Caribou illustrates the importance of caribou as a subsistence resource for the Gwich’in people, past and present. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge threatens the habitat of the caribou.

Tickets are on sale now for between $10 - $15 depending on Museum Association membership. Tickets including reserved seating and reception with the filmmakers can be purchased for $20. Purchased can be made by phone at (831) 420-6115 or in person at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz.

For more information, visit http://www.santacruzmuseums.org.

About Oil on Ice
OIL ON ICE (www.oilonice.org) is a multi-faceted media project about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and the conflict over drilling for oil there. The one-hour documentary film, WebDVD and Website examine the battle over one of America’s last great wild places, which is currently at the center of a national energy debate. OIL ON ICE shows how the fate of the refuge is inextricably linked to decisions our nation makes about energy policy, transportation choices, and other seemingly unrelated matters. And as the film concludes, the culture and livelihood of the native Gwich’in Indians and the survival of migratory wildlife are caught in the balance.