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DamNation

2014 1h 27m Documentary Adventure List
50% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 80% Audience Score 100+ Ratings
The history and controversy surrounding dam removal projects. Read More Read Less
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DamNation

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Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
Geoff Berkshire Variety "DamNation" does little in the way of presenting the pros alongside the cons of dams, resulting in cheerful feature-length propaganda that seems to be disagreeing with no one in particular. May 18, 2014 Full Review Robert Abele Los Angeles Times Directors Ben Knight and Travis Rummel have made a fleet movie with a convincing argument for systemic dam removal (some of which is caught thrillingly on film) and arresting nature-drenched cinematography. May 15, 2014 Full Review Nicolas Rapold New York Times Lumps together its grievances and interviews in a way that feels scattered and geared toward those inclined to agree. May 8, 2014 Full Review Jeff Baker Oregonian A straightforward documentary about the history of dams in America and the recent movement to remove expensive, outdated dams that impede fish passage. Rated: B May 8, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (25) audience reviews
Audience Member Interesting and very well shot doc on the controversial issue of keeping or taking out dams in the U.S. While it is mostly one-sided in its POV, I don't view that as a problem. It's a passionate plea to bring this issue into the political conversation. We've now seen some of the impacts both positive and negative from a century of dams. Great cinematography and animations. Great music. And a compelling edit that builds and builds. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member ITS AMAZING TO SEE OLD DAMS BEING REMOVED! ITS HIGH TIME ALL THE OLD NON-USED DAMS FINALLY SEE THEIR END! Restore the natural habitat.... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member DamNation is a very well directed short film/documentary. I enjoyed how Ben Knight (narrator) introduced what he was going to say before he said it, if it was something that may be new to the viewer. If he was talking about a dam, he would explain a little bit about it. When it was built, why, cons etc. That is one thing I really enjoyed. Also the film was a little fas moving. and sometimes I had to go back and put the cations on to understand what they said. All in all I think this was a very well directed film, with a lot of useful information. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member "DamNation" is a lesson in the conservationist views on the protection of rivers and wildlife. The best part of the film is its clever title. The rest of the film comes off as a one-sided argument with a sense of superiority. The arrogance of these filmmakers can be felt in every line of narration. While they make interesting points about lives that have been lost through dam malfunctions, a reduced salmon population, and the effects on the ecosystem, they ignore the fact that electricity is the commodity that allowed them to edit their documentary. A persuasive film can equally represent both sides but the lack of diversity in this documentary makes it feel like propaganda. They mention that the only reason not to destroy all of the dams at once is because it would be too expensive, but perhaps we should also consider that a balance is necessary to provide our country with enough electricity. "DamNation" is informative if you would like to learn the environmentalist opinion on the issue of dams (and if you would like to hear a guy tell a ten-minute story about painting the side of a dam), but this is not the place to turn for a representation of both sides of this argument. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member As with all good docs, fully reminds you that everything is terrible. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting, but a little depressing. I really didn't have any idea on how dams affected ecosystems to this extent. And I like fish. Watched on Netflix at home, November 14, 2015. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
DamNation

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The history and controversy surrounding dam removal projects.
Director
Ben Knight, Travis Rummel
Producer
Travis Rummel, Matt Stoecker
Screenwriter
Ben Knight
Production Co
Patagonia Films, Stoecker Ecological, Felt Soul Media
Genre
Documentary, Adventure
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
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