Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Slickening greed
MARIA DUARTE recommends a shocking and timely documentary about Big Oil’s death grip over governments — and our future
A screen shot from The Oil Machine

The Oil Machine (PG)
Directed by Emma Davie

 

WITH soaring energy prices and just days before this year’s Cop27 summit in Egypt comes this thought-provoking documentary which takes a deep dive into our addiction to oil and how it is intrinsically embedded in our lives, our economy and our society.

Described as an invisible machine, the film, directed by Emma Davie, provides a potted history of North Sea Oil and how its influence extends from high finance and pensions, to cheap consumer goods which are made from oil. Apparently, the manufacture of the iPhone involves six litres of the black stuff.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
round up
Cinema / 19 December 2025
19 December 2025

ANDY HEDGECOCK, MARIA DUARTE and ANGUS REID review The Six Billion Dollar Man, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Goodbye June, and Super Elfkins

round up
Cinema / 3 July 2025
3 July 2025

The Star's critics ANGUS REID, MICHAL BONCZA and MARIA DUARTE review Hot Milk, An Ordinary Case, Heads Of State, and Jurassic World Rebirth

backlash
Cinema / 8 May 2025
8 May 2025

The Star's critics MARIA DUARTE and MICHAL BONCZA review Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd, The Uninvited, The Surfer, and Motel Destino

round up
Cinema / 1 May 2025
1 May 2025

Borrowed Time: Lennon’s Last Decade, Parthenope, Where Dragons Live and Thunderbolts* reviewed by MICHAL BONCZA and MARIA DUARTE