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BP Oil Anniversary | Vanishing Pearls Trailer

1,950 views · Published 16 April 2014 · 2:33 · Indexed 10 November 2026

Channel: BlackTree TV · 2014 · Entertainment

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Chronicling the 2010 Deep Horizon oil spill, Nailah Jefferson's VANISHING PEARLS shares the untold story of personal and professional devastation in Point á la Hache, a close-knit fishing village on the Gulf Coast. Delving into the worst environmental disaster in American history, the filmmaker captures its impact long after the news cameras have left. As 49 million barrels of oil settle in the once vibrant waters, a generations-old community of African American fishermen pledges to fight for justice, accountability and their way of life.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
"Come hell or high water!" That's one of the first statements Byron Encalade made to me when we had our initial interview in 2010. He was referring to the lengths to which he would go to save his community of Pointe à la Hache, Louisiana. I didn't know it then, but in the more than three years it took to create VANISHING PEARLS, "come hell or high water" would become the film's battle cry.
When I first visited Pointe à la Hache in the spring of 2010 I was intrigued by the people and the landscape. Despite having no idea what lay ahead, I knew that I had to capture it. One year into production, I soon realized that the story was only beginning.
As the reality set in that fishing would not rebound as quickly as hoped, the fishermen began to share with me their fight to protect the industry against invasive oil and gas development. The way they spoke was as if they were reflecting on a life they knew would soon be over. It was then that I understood the weight of this responsibility. I had to not only make an informative film, but also elevate the stories of as many people as possible. It was our hope that doing so could change the fate of a community that was quickly vanishing.
We fought against a lot to get this film made-- a lack of funding, scarce state support, and a misleading ad campaign by a multinational company to name just a few. Despite this, we didn't give up, nor did the people of Pointe á la Hache. As we release this film, my hope is that we can open people's eyes to the gravity of what Gulf Coast communities are experiencing in the aftermath of the BP Oil Spill. It's been a life changing experience making VANISHING PEARLS, and I must say that I am humbled by the opportunity to bring this community and their fight to the masses. It is my wish that this story motivates those in roles of authority to take measures to help this community, and ensure that what they have endured will not be repeated in the future, come hell or highwater!
Nailah Jefferson -- Director/Producer of Vanishing Pearls

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