The Athabasca tar sands in Alberta are an oil reserve the size of England. Extracting crude oil that lies beneath the unspoiled wilderness requires a massive industrialized effort, effecting catastrophic damages on land, air, water, and climate. Peter Mettler shows us this extraordinary view from above, filming primarily from a helicopter to capture this breathtaking, unparalleled look at the world's largest industrial, capital, and energy project. In Petropolis, Mettler explores the clash between industry and earth, and beholds the barren wasteland that is left behind.