What Lies Upstream

Name: What Lies Upstream
Director: Cullen Hoback
Released: 2017

Cullen Hoback 2017

In this classic detective story, investigative filmmaker Cullen Hoback travels to West Virginia to uncover the truth behind a massive chemical spill that left 300,000 people without drinking water for months. But when Hoback discovers an obscene collusion between chemical corporations and the highest levels of government, the investigation spirals in a terrifying direction, and we learn the frightening truth about what lies upstream of us all.

Add to Playlist

Add Bookmark

Bookmark List

Play Trailer

Running Time:

60/85 min.

Spoken Languages:

English

Directors:

Cullen Hoback

Producers:

John Ramos, Alina Solodnikova

Cinematographers:

Vincent Sweeney

Investigative Journalism

Law and Justice

Politics

Press

Variety

Hoback does an impressive job of methodically building his case. And he's every bit as adroit when it comes to fashioning, over the course of his film, an insightful account of two intriguing players in this ongoing real-life drama.
LA Times

An exemplary piece of advocacy filmmaking.
Hollywood Reporter

This quietly chilling wake-up call is sure to be one of the most vital documentaries to hit theaters in 2018.
Washington City Paper

Hoback's a thorough researcher, and there's no denying that the questions raised in his doc-and the lack of concrete answers from public officials-should be of grave concern.

Festival Participation

Slamdance - 2017
Dallas International Film Festival - 2017
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival - 2017
Seattle International Film Festival - 2017
AFI Docs Film Festival - 2017

Additional Materials

Film Poster

Distribution Company

Back to Film Summary

This Week’s Featured Films

An investigative journalist uncovers the money, influence, and alarming rationale behind covert efforts to control the most vital resource on the planet in the latest exposé from filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish)
The road to eliminating poverty begins with her
Israel's military service is questioned through the experiences of young Israelis struggling with enlistment pressures. Innocence uncovers the personal cost of conforming, with lost lives and haunting diaries illustrating the impact of military duty on young souls.
BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY tells the story of the beloved PBS children’s series “Reading Rainbow,” its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading through television.
How did we come to this moment, where free speech issues have never felt more complicated and urgent, and where the nation is wondering a new: what price are we willing to pay for free speech?
Let us tell you a story about the boundary pushers who shape souls and give children strange dreams. The stars of STORY & PICTURES BY are picture book creators changing the narrative for the next generation, even when their own lives are not fairytales.
A political thriller that that goes inside the U.S. fundamentalist Evangelicals, revealing their power and influence on U.S. foreign policy, as they aim to fulfill the Armageddon prophecy and ultimately destroy our civilization
A one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress
Generation Growth tells the story of Green Bronx Machine and its founder, Stephen Ritz, as they grow high performing public schools, happy & healthy children, empowered teachers, and equitable, resilient communities across the nation.