The Los Angeles County wildfires last January was one of the most devasting catastrophes to hit California, and according to David Goldblum’s documentary short on the burning of the Big Rock community within Malibu it would have been completely preventable if local authorities possessed brains and competence.
“There is a massive systemic failure here,” said one of the homeowners profiled in the film as he surveys the apocalyptic landscape left by the fiery chaos. The homeowners who lost their residences sourly tell Goldblum how an acute lack of pre-planning for such an event coupled with an underfinanced and overwhelmed fire department, nonexistent land management to prevent the spread of wildfires, and inept elected officials who didn’t give a damn about their constituents created the perfect set-up for total ruin. Nobody blames the destruction on climate change, which was an excuse given by some California politicians who are conspicuously absent from the film.
“Big Rock Burning” also presents video footage of Malibu residents who demand accountability from their elected officials during a public hearing. These officials could only offer sputtering and word salad evasions rather than offer a cogent explanation of how things went so badly awry.
The homeowners featured in this film show an indefatigable perseverance that is stunning, while the bureaucratic idiocy that caused them to lose their homes makes this one of the most devastating and maddening films I’ve seen in ages. As the camera lingers on the wreckage of the incinerated properties while the now-displaced homeowners sift through the ashes and rubble with restrained emotions, it is impossible not to feel deeply moved by their plight while also feeling furious at those who allowed this tragedy to occur. I sincerely hope this production receives serious consideration for the Best Documentary Short Subject Academy Award.