‘FrackNation’ filmmaker visits Oil Patch

WILLISTON, N.D. — The filmmaker of the upcoming documentary “FrackNation” wrapped up her visit to North Dakota on Friday and said she may feature the state in her film.

“It’s very likely that I will,” said Los Angeles filmmaker Ann McElhinney. “I think this is an incredible story that the world needs to hear.”

The journalist and filmmaker is working on a response to the anti-fracking movie “Gasland,” which McElhinney describes as full of anecdotes and short on facts.

McElhinney spent this week visiting several communities in the Oil Patch, including Dickinson, Williston, Minot, Stanley, and Tioga, N.D., and Glendive, Mont.

“I think you need to come here and see it to understand,” she said.

More than 3,300 people donated to “FrackNation” on the website kickstarter.com, contributing more than $212,000.

Each person who donates will be listed as an executive producer in the credits.

Among them will be state Rep. Bette Grande, R-Fargo.

Grande, whose hometown is Williston, said she likes that the film will be independent and not tied to donations from the oil and gas industry.

“This film will get the truth out about the industry and how it works,” Grande said.

The film is expected to be completed in June, McElhinney said. There may be a second fundraising campaign to assist with distribution. She said she’d like to get the film in theaters before the November election.

McElhinney said western North Dakota was not what she expected based on what she’d read in media coverage.

“I expected some kind of disaster zone,” she said. “It seems all very manageable to me.”

Amy Dalrymple is a

Forum Communications Co. reporter stationed in the Oil Patch.

Tags: news, energy, oil