Actor Michael Sheen stars in the two-part documentary 'Buried', which examines the pervasive threat of chemical waste contaminating water supplies. The series sees Sheen adopt the persona of a dishevelled private investigator, reminiscent of the 1979 detective drama character Eddie Shoestring, as he travels across Wales and into the United States to uncover stories of communities affected by toxic dump sites.
Sheen's investigation began approximately ten years ago when he encountered the work of National Farmers' Union environmentalist Douglas Gowan. At the time, Sheen was living in Los Angeles and contacted Gowan, eventually spending a weekend with him in 2018 to record a lengthy interview. Gowan, who was reportedly ill, died a few weeks after their meeting.
The documentary showcases Sheen visiting communities impacted by hazardous waste, such as areas in Wales where banned Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) were dumped in old quarries. PCBs, known as 'forever chemicals,' do not dissipate. The program highlights instances of health issues in affected communities, including children developing skin scabs after wading in contaminated water, clusters of tumors in dogs, and a farmer who died of blood cancer. Tests on the deceased farmer's land reportedly showed PCB levels 2,000 times greater than average, although proving a direct causal link remained challenging.
'Buried' presents Sheen re-examining his interview with Gowan in a secluded setting, surrounded by maps and documents, a visual parallel to the methods of fictional detectives. The documentary aims to bring wider attention to the potential dangers posed by these chemical waste sites.