Monday, October 18, 2010

Documentary Review #2: Blue Gold

  Blue Gold: World Water Wars (2008)
Sam Bozzo



The visual, audio and auditory stimulation offered in the first ten seconds of this documentary set the tone for the rest of the film.  The narrator begins with the following commentary in a deep, growling voice:

This is not a film about saving the environment.  It’s a film about saving ourselves.   Because whatever one’s environmental, political, or religious opinions, whatever one’s race, sex or economic standing, whomever of us goes without water for a week, cries blood. 

He then goes on to tell the story of Pablo Valencia’s, who was stranded in the dessert for many days without water and who wrote about what it is like to begin to die of thirst.  Bozzo uses just the right amount of base drum pounding music in sync with screeching violins to make the viewer quite sure that at any moment the world will implode on itself for lack of justice in the water sector.  What do we have to fear in the coming decade according to Bozzo and his team of water rights activists?  Desertification, war, and ultimately, the collapse of our civilization.


In addition to the overly dramatic introduction and the scare tactic statements made throughout the film, Bozzo also spent far too much time developing conspiracy theories about corrupt politicians and evil corporations.  Because of this, many of the unbiased but equally convincing facts about the global water crisis are lost. 

Although his tactics were a bit over the top, the information Bozzo shares in this film helps his audience begin to make the connection between water and environmental issues, international corporate greed, social justice and human rights. 

One of the most interesting parts of the film outlines potential solutions to address water consumption and pollution issues.  He suggests that water holding and catchments structures be built near streams and rivers to help replenish groundwater.  In urban areas porous walkways and roads made from permeable concrete alternatives, as well as the building of green spaces like parks, can help recharge aquifers.  Another interesting idea, and one that has already been executed in Bolinas, California, is only allowing development that is sustainable within the limits of the area’s watershed. 

This film is quotable for those who are already convinced that private corporations are evil and that all things eventually end in the collapse of civilization.  However, it sadly misses the mark in an informed and intelligent conversation about how best to tackle global water issues.  

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