Crude Independence (2009)

Crude Independence is a documentary film exploring the transformation of the American heartland, driven by the discovery of vast oil reserves. In 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated over 200 billion barrels of crude oil lay beneath western North Dakota, sparking a rush of oil companies and equipment to small rural communities. Director Noah Hutton focuses on Stanley, North Dakota (population 1300), situated above the largest oil discovery in North America's history, documenting the profound changes brought by this unprecedented boom. Through interviews and visuals of the northern plains, Crude Independence examines the future of small-town America – a story of change shaped by the global energy market and America’s continued reliance on oil.