To Promote the General Interest

In 1959 a gas field was discovered in the province of Groningen. Gas extraction in combination with a certain composition of the soil causes the ground to sink, triggering earthquakes. The film presents itself as a report made by a fictitious institute that deals with compensation for the earthquake damage. The film is inspired by official reports written by the NAM, and testimonies given by locals about the lengthy, bureaucratic process of reinforcing damaged houses.



Uses video and newspaper material from the Groningen Archives and text material based on found reports written by NAM (Nederlandse Aardgas en Olie Maatschappij).