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"People do not drink words."
-Benedict Chacha, Tanzania
Thousands of people arrived in Kyoto, Japan, last March for the Third World Water Forum. An enormous trade show, the WWF is also an opportunity for transnational corporations and governments to present far-reaching strategies for managing and financing water. Their focus has been privatization and profit-making. This year, grassroots activists also attended, determined to present alternatives. Reclaiming Water is their story. Well known participants include authors Vandana Shiva (Water Wars) and Maude Barlow (Blue Gold: The Fight to End the Corporate Theft of the World's Water).The documentary interweaves personal stories, strategy sessions, and analysis with striking footage of Japan.
The documentary has screened on Free Speech TV as part of their May 2003 Mobil-Eyes on water. It has also screened at the Aquaria Water Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of their World Water Week celebration. One viewer, who also attended the Water Forum, wrote, "I wept-it was so beautiful, the way you got all the highlights."
Reclaiming Water is produced and directed by Angela Alston. Her award-winning short films and videos have screened in Europe and North America. She is technical director of Democracy Now!, a daily progressive public affairs show, and board member of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers. She is currently developing a long-form documentary on indigenous people and water.
Reclaiming Water was partially funded by Global Ministries of United Methodist Women and sponsored by Action Against Hunger.
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Sustainable
Resources 2004 > Talks
and Workshops
