Emil T
I suppose that most folks who go to the movies might think that a documentary about the state of the world's water supplies would be trivial when there's a couple of lengthy wars currently underway, in the midst of a global recession. But director Irena Salina (Ghost Bird: The Life and Art of Judith Deim) throws another log on the fire with her panic-ridden look into the world's most precious resource: water.
According to some of the experts that Salina (and producer Steven Starr) interviews for Flow, there's a lot that we don't know when it comes to the H2O affair, and it looks as though governments around the world want to keep it that way. Salina explores the toxic pollutants that end up in the drinking water of not only the Third World nations, but right in our own backyards as well. Pollutants that, in some cases, even end up in the highly unregulated bottled water we spend billions of our dollars on every year.
But it's the privatization of the "blue gold" that warrants the real fear behind the limited supply the Earth sustains, and it's that same issue that carries the bulk of Flow. Major international corporations--such as Suez, Vivendi, and Thames Water--are putting their flags into the freshwater supplies all over the globe, staking claim in property that defies ownership, and then distributing it back to the citizens on a for-profit basis.
Take a look at what the Nestle brand did when it decided to erect a pump site in Michigan, drilling into the homegrown spring waters and then bottling it for sale, tax-free! Similar cases have arose in other places by other conglomerates, but the World Bank takes the cake when it comes to immoral behaviour, as it lends billions of dollars to poor countries, and then takes control of national matters when those same countries are unable to reimburse. This was a tragic reality for the citizens of Bolivia, for example, who had no say when their government privatized their water stock at the demands of the World Bank, who threatened to refuse funds to the impoverished country.
Large companies like Suez also require colossal dams in order to trap and store the world's stockpile of freshwater--only 3% of the planet's aqua is fresh--which in turn ruins ecosystems and displaces literally tens of millions of people all over the world, most notably in destitute Asian territories.
Intriguing and informative as Flow may be, Salina is still new to her craft, a vulnerability that shows itself from time to time. Much of its 84 minutes are made up of continuous scenes of water flowing in all matters (from kitchen taps to frozen streams), and although it fits in undeniably with the subject matter, it's unnecessary and almost tacky. But she rectifies herself with the closing credits, debriefing us on the potential that surrounds solutions to these problems, ending on a good note rather than on the dire atmosphere the film established early on.
Salina guides us through the outrage and the terror, the frustration and inhumanity behind another inconvenient truth that is perpetually affecting the whole planet. The water shortage isn't just an exaggerated rumour, and it's not a matter that only the future generations will have to deal with. It's a global issue that is happening RIGHT NOW, and it's scarier than any weapon of mass destruction, because it is the closest thing to the apocalyptic fantasies of all those science fiction writers who wrote of the end of the line for mankind.
The filmmakers of Flow encourage everyone to check out their online community, where you can "take action" by signing up to the FreeFlo social network or sign a petition to add Article 31 ("establishing access to clean water as a fundamental human right") to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At flowthefilm.com you also have access to numerous organizations that support similar efforts.
*This review was originally written in 2009.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/06/21
Full Review
Audience Member
Can Anyone Really Own Water?
It is no secret that our water supply is declining and bottling it all up is not the right way to go. FLOW: For The Love of Water is a documentary that sheds light on the hardship humans will face if we continue to take water for granted. The documentary takes an international study approach by jumping to different countries. The director Irena Salena gathered information about bottled water, water contamination, privatization and the effects on vulnerable people across the globe. The people interviewed for this documentary were: Thames Water; the International Monetary Fund; President of Pacific Institute; CEO of Suez; activists; leaders from developing countries; researchers and professors from universities. The film begins with a national perspective as to how the United States' waters are being contaminated from pesticides and chemicals, specifically Prozac. Then, the film shifts between international lenses varying from Bolivia, Argentina, and India. Like many other documentaries that dig to find the truth under controversial disputes regarding environment issues or food production, "FLOW: For The Love of Water" establishes the argument that water is not just water anymore but rather has converted itself to a 21st century commodity through privatization. It is important to watch this documentary because it provides an argument not from the foreign perspective but from the individuals who are undergoing a human struggle for survival and how they have mobilized against large corporations and water diseases.
What made this film unique were the astonishing images of water being contaminated not only by chemicals, but also with blood and sewage waste. The grotesque image is able to make any audience cringe and rethink culture of privatization of water. In South Africa for example, mothers are screaming and arguing with water and sanitation services who have forced the community to either pay for their water supply or forced to drink polluted water to survive, only to run the risk of dying of cholera in the future. "We don't have a choice" is the cry of a mother who is afraid of not being able to provide clean water for her children and family.
The documentary is for an audience who is willing to learn and have their eyes opened to the lack of clean water due to greedy companies who look no further than the profits they gain. This film is overwhelming with facts and interviews from researchers, activists and leaders who care about having access to drinking water, but it will not leave the audience feeling powerless. Rather, it inspires one to make the change with small adjustments to everyday routines. Many feel that documentaries of water are just stating the obvious facts that everyone already knows. But, FLOW compares water to the human's blood circulation and how any form of scarcity or pollution can disrupt its function. The question is: how do we change a system that has already created fatal damage to developing countries? For example, in India, "the cost for person a year for having 10 liters of safe drinking water everyday is just two dollars".
The film was strong in providing imagery of vulnerable communities in Bolivia, India, and South Africa who daily suffer from contamination of water. The transitions of scenes during the film from country to country varied from dams, lakes, rivers, and the sound effects of rippling thrusting water attracts the viewer to continue watching and at times thirsty. Having different examples of need for water around the world sheds light on the immense catastrophe that can occur if nothing is done to maintain clean accessible drinking water. The director did a phenomenal job of having the filmmakers capture the everyday lifestyle of victims of water contamination. For example, kids who live in slum areas playing with water puddles with sewage waste while their mothers wash the clothes with the same water. The close up shots draws sympathy and makes the film more personal and back to home. What was troubling was not hearing more about local community members about their experiences from not having access to water. Instead the film focuses on the perspective of foreign researchers who are "experts" on the matter of privatization and contamination of water. Also, the film used the case of Nestle vs. Michigan as an example of resistance but discourages audience to at least try to challenge corporate greed for water by going against water issues. It left the audience with the feeling of powerlessness because regardless of the legal accusation that the water pumping was damaging their access to water, Nestle was still pumping water and nothing changed. "Nestle owns over 70 bottled water brands around the world including some of America's most popular brands: Poland Spring, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Deer Park, Perrier, Pellegrino, Zephyrhills, and Arrowhead". Many may have already once in their lifetime been guilty of consuming one of these bottled waters and never asked themselves about the process, is it legal or not, or was it righteous? When companies are just pumping "450 gallons of water per minute," we have to think how sustainable that is for streams, rivers, and bodies of water that have been the main water source for many individuals?
The film is a three star documentary because it took too long to make its points by just providing multiple examples involved in the crisis for water. The movie tried to handle many water issues in multiple parts of the world and made the comprehension of the content difficult. The film is overstuffed with information, the voice narrator has a pessimistic tone, and the close to science fiction facts on reptile mutations fails to convince the viewer to join the fight against rich corporations. On a brighter note, FLOW may not be a casual Friday night movie to watch, but it will surely open your eyes to the water exploitation going on and the fatal consequences it has already caused. So maybe next time the grocery store has a sale on bottle water, stop to think as to who had to suffer in order for customers to have their water on special. Water is not just a part of earth, but 70% of our body because water owns life.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/26/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A true-life horror story that is straightforward and very frightening.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This movie is a MUST see. For those of you that are hip to water privatization and article 31, then you'll enjoy the straight forward way in which this film connects all of us. For those of you that are not hip to either - then you should watch this. Very informative, VERY scary, and will ultimately effect us all.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/16/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Not my favorite water documentary, but it was pretty good.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/09/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A fine introduction to the incredible problems that water privatization causes. Generally, it's a very nice film to look at. While I agree with film's premise, the alleged logic of water privateers isn't explored deeply. It should be.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/04/23
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