Coming to HBO as part of its Docs Fall series this Monday, November 25: TOXIC HOT SEAT
James Redford and Kirby Walker’s exposé of the dangerous chemicals in our everyday objects made its world premiere at Mill Valley. It’s gone on to screen at DOC NYC, Napa Valley, and Tiburon, among other special screenings around the country.
Nearly four decades ago, a law was passed in California that stipulated that furniture manufacturers make their products non-flammable to curb the destructive potential of common house fires. Because of the state’s large market share, products containing chemical flame retardants have since spread to the rest of the US and Canada, ushered along by a powerful chemical lobby. Walker and Redford’s provocative film follows the efforts of a diverse coalition of firefighters, scientists, activists, and politicians that has dared to stand up to this lobby, and question the safety of these largely unregulated chemicals. Structured around the investigative reporting of the Chicago Tribune, which found disturbing links to Big Tobacco in their celebrated series of stories, the film serves as a compelling advocacy piece that will make the audience consider what products they have brought into their home.
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