Deepwater Horizon, a modern epic

Deepwater Horizon was Peter Berg's masterful chronicle of the real-life BP oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010, which killed 11 people and injured 16 others, causing one of the most serious man-made environmental catastrophes, and shocked the world through stark, visceral cinema.

Mark Wahlberg gave the best performance of his career as veteran Mike Williams, who led his fellow rig crew members with resilience, courage and wisdom in the face of 9/11.

Berg placed the audience directly into the terrifying chaos and claustrophobia of the ill-fated Deepwater rig through kinetic hand-held camera photography that laid bare the human cost of technological hubris.

Yet through all the calamitous action thrived a poignant message about humanity's indomitable spirit, even against the gravest odds, and our duty as stewards of this fragile planet we all call home.

Deepwater Horizon was a modern epic that demanded to be seen on the biggest screens to soak in its enormity. Berg turned non-fiction into an immersive blockbuster with a conscience.

Though perhaps too stark for mainstream audiences, Deepwater Horizon stands as one of the most powerful and important films of this century, heralding new standards for truth-based cinema.