Blue Vinyl

I enjoyed the style of this documentary. It wasn't slick like a lot of docs you tend to see out there. But I don't agree that it was just BS like a lot of the reviews I just read here. I think that it is pretty well known information that PVC is toxic to the people who live around the factories, & who make the stuff. When it is in your home it is fairly safe, but if it catches fire then it sends up a lot of toxic fumes.

Ever open a new PVC shower curtain and it stinks up your house for weeks after? That is called out-gassing. A lot of new chemical laden household products out-gas. Like cabinets, furniture, carpets, etc. Google it. Read up.

I understand this movie was trying to get the message out about the dangers of vinyl but they need to be more prepared and get all of their facts straight. They kept referring to studies done 30 years ago but not much recently. Also, when Judith interviewed the representative from the Vinyl Institute she was completely out of her league and unprepared. The representative was very convincing and was not the least bit shaken by any of her questions. The representative handled her "tough" questions very easily. I was not impressed with this movie.

This film, already four years old, (successfully I think) explores the toxic potentiality of only one everyday item. There are scores of other contaminants out there, with the growing problem of e-waste something that will impact on everyone sooner or later. There is even a black market in e-waste disposal that sends discarded high-tech components to the developing world for crude deconstruction. One commentator referred to "Blue Vinyl" as "lefty." Actually, he or she should take note: the filmmaker notes that adult toys might contain carcinogens. This could be a big boost for the right, who generally don't approve of such items: scores of vibrators having to be discarded or recalled.

Judith Helfand and Daniel Gold have created a wonderful documentary in Blue Vinyl. Judith's parents have put light blue vinyl siding on her house... but Judith suspects there are serious dangers from vinyl to humans... during its manufacture, if it burns, when its disposed of. Having lost her uterus from DES poisoning, she shares a bond with the cancer victims who work in and live in the shadow of the vinyl and PVC factories. Judith has this gravelly high voice, a quirky sense of humor, and a vulnerability in the face of corporate America that makes her irresistible. Blue Vinyl is also beautifully and imaginatively shot... I saw this at Sundance (2002) and Daniel Gold won the prize for documentary cinematography. There is also wonderful use of music and animation. Highly recommended.

Although made on a lower budget than some of the more popular documentaries of late, "Blue Vinyl" is an excellent film. This investigative work of environmental journalism does a great job of telling the story in an informative, accessible way. It is difficult to appropriately incorporate humor into a documentary about toxic chemicals. It is equally difficult to make a documentary about plastic interesting to watch. But, Helfand and Gold achieve both of these feats. While the story is told from Judith Helfand's perspective, she is not the focus of the film. As a result, the viewer has a character to latch onto without distracting from the story. If you enjoy documentaries, or you're just curious about the topic, this is a great film to watch.