The film has changed and grown a great deal since it was seen around the world at film festivals, starting with the award-winning premier at Sundance last winter. We have seen huge changes in the biodiesel industry, huge changes in the oil industry, and huge changes in the global economy. The film reflects these changes, and is now about so much more than biodiesel, we needed to change the title. It is now called "Fuel".
Josh became determined to make a film that would help change the world by intervening with American's oil addiction 12 years ago. While majoring in Sustainable Living for his Bachelor of Science degree, he learned about biodiesel and that he needed to use edutainment to teach others about sustainable energy. Two years later, Josh was working on a masters in film so he could teach through this media.
Josh still has the Veggie Van parked in the driveway, and we roll it out to events to show it off. It was recently driven all the way from Venice, California to Seattle, Washington and Bend, Oregon before heading down to the many LA openings. The brightly-colored sunflowers painted on the sides still look great, and the motor still runs reliably on biodiesel. Josh drives the VW Golf he is seen buying in the film most places. It gets 40+ MPG. Josh's mother drives an old Mercedes diesel. Nearly everyone associated with the film has bought a diesel vehicle at some point to enjoy the benefits of biodiesel.
Log on to http://thefuelfilm.com/calendar to see where "Fuel" will be playing next. Soon, we expect "Fuel" to be in wide distribution around the country, but theater owners are not likely to get a copy to screen in their theaters unless they see lots of good reviews on IMDb. You can help bring "Fuel" to your area by stopping into the theaters and asking them to schedule the film. (Hint: Theaters seldom answer their phones, as most callers are just trying to find out showtimes).
When the film is in wide distribution, Fandango.com will be the best place to find theaters and showtimes in your area.
When the film is in wide distribution, Fandango.com will be the best place to find theaters and showtimes in your area.
Any diesel car, truck or boat can run on biodiesel. Some manufacturers have warranty issues with biodiesel. Check with your dealer to find out what percentage of biodiesel they allow. A quick web search on a site like Craigslist or Ebay motors will find diesel cars and trucks.
Food is too expensive to use as a fuel. Period. Everyone we know who makes biodiesel is dedicated to sustainable practices to produce their fuel, but even someone who doesn't care about forests or food would be unable to make money destroying food. If you look at the price of vegetable oil in a grocery store, you will find that it is more expensive than diesel, biodiesel, and gasoline.
Much of the biodiesel made today comes from waste oil that has already been used to fry food until it became dark and distasteful. This oil can be filtered, and processed into biodiesel. Some new soy, safflower and other foods are used to produce biodiesel, but after the oil is extracted, the mash, containing protein and nutrients, goes on to be food for people and animals. The process would be too expensive if the solids from the feed stocks were not passed on to be used as they always have.
Many farms that used to sit fallow for much of the year because the primary crop grown there had been harvested are adding a second crop for biofuel production. Increased biofuel demand therefore leads to increased food production.
As for deforestation, this is a separate issue driven by a demand for wood for consumer nations, and a desire for more farmland for the world's growing population.
Much of the biodiesel made today comes from waste oil that has already been used to fry food until it became dark and distasteful. This oil can be filtered, and processed into biodiesel. Some new soy, safflower and other foods are used to produce biodiesel, but after the oil is extracted, the mash, containing protein and nutrients, goes on to be food for people and animals. The process would be too expensive if the solids from the feed stocks were not passed on to be used as they always have.
Many farms that used to sit fallow for much of the year because the primary crop grown there had been harvested are adding a second crop for biofuel production. Increased biofuel demand therefore leads to increased food production.
As for deforestation, this is a separate issue driven by a demand for wood for consumer nations, and a desire for more farmland for the world's growing population.
After 10 years of empowering marginalized villagers in Least Developing South Pacific Island Nations and remote Australian Aboriginal communities such as she did as a World Health Organization consultant and NGOs, Deborah Dupre' now lives in Los Angeles where she dedicates herself to promoting the film and other human rights advocacy work. In her early 20's, Deborah had her own 1-year voyage in a flower painted van during the Vietnam War, traveling throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico to supply aid and comfort to American conscientious objectors fleeing the draft and to promote peaceful solutions.
It was Deborah's idea for Josh to sample the waters in Louisiana that she then helped him do, leading to his quest to get the world away from using oil. She encouraged Josh to independently seek knowledge, learn new languages, travel, and question headlines and agencies.
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, plus Post-graduate Education Diploma from US and Australia universities and has dedicated her life to peace, human rights, the pursuit of knowledge, and the environment. She is an inspiration to those of us working on the film, and on the educational tour to follow the film around the country and the world.
It was Deborah's idea for Josh to sample the waters in Louisiana that she then helped him do, leading to his quest to get the world away from using oil. She encouraged Josh to independently seek knowledge, learn new languages, travel, and question headlines and agencies.
Deborah holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, plus Post-graduate Education Diploma from US and Australia universities and has dedicated her life to peace, human rights, the pursuit of knowledge, and the environment. She is an inspiration to those of us working on the film, and on the educational tour to follow the film around the country and the world.
The first drive-in service station in the United States was opened up in St. Louis, Missouri in 1905. Now they are everywhere, and there are enough that now sell biodiesel, you can travel anywhere on biodiesel with a little planning. A website called nearbio.com will show you stations selling biodiesel near you or on your route to somewhere else.
Robert Kennedy Junior plays a major part in "Fuel". He suffers from a vocal disorder known as spasmodic dysphonia. 15,500 people in this country are afflicted with the condition. The wavering sound of his voice is caused by involuntary muscle contractions in his larynx.
We are extremely pleased that Mr Kennedy was willing to be interviewed in the film. We appreciated his unique perspective on the way the US and our leaders are viewed by the rest of the world.
We are extremely pleased that Mr Kennedy was willing to be interviewed in the film. We appreciated his unique perspective on the way the US and our leaders are viewed by the rest of the world.
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