Watch The Creek Runs Red

The Creek Runs Red is a 2007 documentary-style film that follows the lives of three families from Picher, Oklahoma, a town that was once a thriving mining community. The Creek Runs Red was directed by Bradley Beesley and is based on true events. The documentary chronicles the history of Picher, which was once home to the largest lead and zinc mines in the world. However, the town's prosperity was short-lived, and by the 1970s, the mining companies had abandoned their operations, leaving behind a toxic legacy that would haunt the town for decades.

The film introduces us to the families affected by this legacy. Tim and Dena Bucher are ranchers who have lived in the area for generations. Their land, once home to sprawling fields, is now barren and covered in chat, a gravelly byproduct of the mining operations that has been linked to serious health problems. The Buchers have lost several family members, including Tim's father, to cancer that they believe was caused by exposure to the toxic waste.

The film also follows the story of the Chatmans, a family whose home sits atop a former mine shaft. The Chatmans have suffered through floods and landslides caused by the unstable land, and their children have developed health problems that they believe are linked to the pollution.

Finally, the film introduces us to the Running Family, who have been fighting for decades for the government to acknowledge and address the pollution. Wilma and John Running lost their son Elmer, a soldier who served in Iraq, to a rare form of cancer that they believe was caused by exposure to the toxic waste in Picher. The Runnings are activists who have used their tragedy to draw attention to the plight of their town and push for change.

The Creek Runs Red is a devastating look at how corporate greed can devastate communities and leave families struggling with health problems and loss. The film doesn't pull any punches in its depiction of the effects of the pollution on the land and the people who live there. We see footage of the polluted groundwater and surrounding areas, and the film doesn't shy away from showing the impact on the health of those living in the area.

But the film isn't all doom and gloom. It also highlights the resilience and determination of the families, who have rallied together to demand change. We see footage of protests and meetings with government officials, as the families work to get the EPA to declare the area a Superfund site and clean up the toxic waste. The film is a powerful reminder of the importance of activism and the courage it takes to stand up to powerful corporations and government agencies.

Overall, The Creek Runs Red is a gut-wrenching documentary that shines a light on the devastating effects of industrial pollution on small towns and their residents. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in environmental justice, community activism, or the impact of corporate greed on local communities.