In Greenpeace USA’s recent film, Gaslit, Director Katie Camosy teams up with longtime activist and icon, Jane Fonda, to interrogate and reveal the ugly underbelly of the fossil fuel and natural gas industry. As they travel through Texas oil fields and Gulf Coast communities, Camosy and Fonda interview activists from all walks of life, emphasizing the destructive effects of oil and gas extraction.

Camosy joins The Rolling Tape to talk about her relationship with Fonda, working for Greenpeace USA, the challenges of filming through varying conditions and locations, and her approach to interviews as letting people tell their own stories. 

Listen to the full conversation here:

On the rise of data centers popping up across the country, comparably threatening humanity, Camosy says: 

We’ve been touring this film all over the US and in Europe as well, and data centers are what comes up, and it’s very, very similar. So, first of all, the data centers are run on fossil fuels, so we still have, you know, it’s connected that way, but also they’re trying to build them very quickly right now all over and in and near communities again, and they’re not going to Beverly Hills or, you know, Fifth Avenue. They’re again going to these sacrifice zones or the path of least resistance. I am encouraged by what I’m seeing though, because I don’t know if it’s because it’s in a way like a newer industrial threat that doesn’t seem to be as politicized. There are people who don’t want it across the political spectrum, which is what I hope we would feel for all polluting industries. But I think it’s also a way to get people starting to think about it and talk about it and question what the industries are telling them, what the companies that want to come in are telling them because there’s a lot of promises. You know, the title, “Gaslit” is like they’re going to try to make you feel like you’re crazy if you question it. But, just look at the people who’ve been living this reality and I don’t think anyone would want this near their home.

Gaslit is now on Amazon Prime to rent or buy and is now available on DOCUMENTARY+. Check out their watch page (gaslitdoc.com/watch) for all platforms and info.

Follow our interviewee online:
Katie Camosy, Website, Instagram 

Interview Courtesy of Mariana Fabian

Feature Image Credit to Tim Aubry via Greenpeace