Oren Jacoby’s documentary “This Is Not a Drill” is a three-person grassroots environmentalist team who, together with descendants of John D. Rockefeller, assumes the country’s most powerful oil and gas company.
Justin J. Pearson brings together a multi-ethnic grassroots coalition trying to defeat the Memphis, Tennessee crude oil pipeline, a mother of six from Louisiana, turning personal losses from multiple unprecedented hurricanes into political action, and stealing the battle from the roads that sparkled the storm. Former oil insider Sharon Wilson turns a methane hunter and uses an infrared camera to expose the invisible deadly gas pouring from Texas fracking sites and pipelines.
Supporting them were rebellious Rockefeller heirs who opposed the family’s oil empire to expose ExxonMobil’s “decades of cover-up deception.” According to the film’s production notes, the coalition reveals what they call Big Oil’s “Big Con.” This is an industry that doubles fossil fuels while disguising the truth.
“When democratic institutions and regulations are put into full force, corporate greeds are given a free rein, and public interest is at risk. How can we fight back?” Jacoby said. “How do we save our community? We have discovered three extraordinary individuals who have stepped up to show us the way. They are fighting to stop oil and gas companies from ignoring science warnings and expanding their infrastructure, the biggest driver of climate change.
Variety spoke to Jacoby about “This is Not a Drill,” which premiered at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival.
How did you discover the three main characters in your film?
I traveled around the country for a year looking for people who were personally already feeling the climate crisis and were effectively fighting back. I was fortunate to meet three charismatic and brave individuals who were on track or already accomplished. They, their families and communities were suffering in some way at the hands of the oil and gas industry. They were not environmentalists or activists until they realized that no one was coming to help them.
How much have you been working on this film?
We began filming in late 2021 and took our final filming of the summer outside of Elon Musk’s Xai facility in Memphis.
Rockefeller was hesitant to appear in the film, so was he revealing their efforts?
The Rockefeller family members we met were reluctant to be in the public eye for everything that was making this film. But they do whatever it takes to hold massive oil accountable and support the work of grassroots leaders like Justin, Sharon and Leuschtta to stop the build-outs that are accelerating the climate crisis.
What was the most challenging aspect of documenting?
The most challenging aspect is the widely held attitude that the fight to deal with this crisis is already gone, so it makes no sense to continue. That’s not how Justin, Sharon, or Roixetta feels. For many years, despite political parties facing indifference and opposition even when they hold power, the people of our film continue. They know we can’t afford to give up, so they are determined to continue fighting.
Joe Berlinger was tracked down and was eventually sued for the 2009 DOC “crude oil.” Were you worried at all about the future of this film and its distribution potential?
Our crew faced harassment on public roads outside of oil and gas facilities, but our film is not about one legal case against one company. It’s about seeing the whole industry telling the truth and not ceasing to put the lives of its fellow citizens at risk. We are sure our distributors will watch our film about what it is. It’s a hopeful story, and proves that even in times of trouble, we can stand up to what we believe and make a difference.
How did you fund this documentary?
We received support from Patagonia Films, the Ford Foundation and charities. We are still raising funds.
