Film Review: REFLECTION: A WALK WITH WATER
Reflection: A Walk With Water Film Still. Courtesy of MPRM Communications
Written by: Belle McIntyre
REFLECTION: A WALK WITH WATER (2021) DIR. EMMETT BRENNAN
This fascinating and beautifully filmed documentary has the story line, unique characters, production values, and music of a feature film. The framework within which the film is presented is a pilgrimage. A diverse group of environmental activists, healers, native Americans, thought and spiritual leaders and people who care about nature and its preservation. The glue that underpins all of their various attitudes and concerns about the natural world begins and ends with water. Emmett Brennan, who produced Inhabit: A Permaculture Perspective in 2015, has spent most of his 30 years in California and had close calls with wildfires, and witnessed droughts and floods. He has spent the last decade researching solutions to what he has seen and experienced. His diligence has born bountiful fruit.
Reflection: A Walk With Water Film Still. Courtesy of MPRM Communications
His quest took a very primal form, which, as it turns out, is probably the most appropriate way forward. It is a “back to basics” approach to that which we have forgotten, what we have done which has proved to be ill-conceived, hazardous and detrimental to our environment and its people. He decided to follow the path of the Los Angeles Aqueduct for 250 miles from its origins in Owens Valley to the city of Los Angeles which was only made possible by this massive public works project which was competed in 1915. At the time it was considered second in scale and importance to the Panama Canal. The city of Los Angeles is still sustained by that same water source. But at what price?
Reflection: A Walk With Water Film Still. Courtesy of MPRM Communications
What has become abundantly clear is the collateral damage to almost everything in its path. The Owens Valley, once lush and verdant has become a desert as has much of the land contiguous to the aqueduct. The water has been drained from tributaries and caused the diminishing water table and expanding desertification. Accepted wisdom is that bare, dry ground does not support vegetation which does not allow for moisture to rise to form clouds which will produce rain. Ergo droughts and wildfires. We are all more aware of the harm caused by industrial agricultural and farm practices which deplete the soil and pollute groundwater. A surprising revelation was about the amount of water which is wasted – especially from rain. Enough of the bad news.
Reflection: A Walk With Water Film Still. Courtesy of MPRM Communications
The good news is what he learned and bore witness to and why this is ultimately an optimistic and hopeful story. The remarkable number of original thinkers and practitioners of land and water management, farmers and regular citizens who were engaged in contributing to the recovery and ongoing health of our environment. Using ecologically-sound techniques on an individual and community level they were upbeat and positive about their results. The variety of approaches is impressive and yet, none of it is hard to grasp. It is all sublimely logical since it is holistically based on understanding and following the laws of nature. Scale is not an issue and investment minimal. In other words - anyone can play. The most remarkable revelation is that with proper water management the current annual rainfall would be sufficient for all the needs of modern Los Angeles. Just like the Everglades, man’s interventions can never really compete with the wisdom of nature. As more people care and become engaged, there is reason for hope. A solid and inspiring case has been made and there is much food for thought.
The people interviewed are inspiring and meaningfully engaged in their various choices about how to be responsible for their habitat – to be stewards of the earth.
(Tribeca Film Festival)
