Mark Wahlberg stars in one of the most haunting disaster films in recent years. You can watch it on TV today. We also explain the real behind the scenes.
In 2010, one of the most devastating ecological disasters of the current century occurred. The Deepwater Horizon drilling platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Vast amounts of oil had spilled into the sea and several workers had died. Only six years later, Peter Berg, starring Mark Wahlberg, filmed the disaster under the title Deepwater Horizon. Today, the disaster film is on TV.
What is the plot of Deepwater Horizon?
84 kilometres south of the Louisiana coast lies the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform. Here, oil is brought from the depths to the surface every day. With the help of test drilling, the Macondo oil field is now to be developed. But then an explosion occurs and while the men on the drilling platform fight for their survival, a disaster of catastrophic proportions unfolds.
Morbid suspense: what succeeded on Deepwater Horizon
The column of smoke from Deepwater Horizon
Peter Berg chooses a very personal and close perspective on the disaster. In this way, the terrible events on the platform always remain comprehensible. He not only succeeded in emotionally coming to terms with the human victims of the catastrophe. The film develops a morbid tension due to its proximity to the event.
Berg had a lavish budget of 156 million US dollars for his elaborate re-enactment of the events, which unfortunately the film was unable to recoup. Together with home video revenues, only about 138 million came in again.
What is the true background of Deepwater Horizon?
From 20 April 2010, an estimated 800 million litres of oil flowed into the – this so-called blowout is considered the worst oil disaster in the history of the USA, as Der Spiegel wrote. Two explosions had triggered the chain of events that led to the oil spill. Eleven workers died in the event. A total of 120 people were on the platform during the disaster.
The main character Mike Williams, played by Mark Wahlberg, survived and was available as a consultant for the film. In an interview with Die Zeit , he criticised the fact that no one talked about the human victims in the coverage of the natural disaster. The film eventually changed its focus and concentrated more on the workers.
