In Thirst, filmmakers Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufam take a look at the world’s most precious resources – water. Currently, around the globe, the right to access water is being privatized-away from people by numerous multi-nationals and even the World Bank.
Maude Barlow, from the Council of Canadians, describes what is taking place with the increasing privatization of water as “…theft of the commons…”. Human rights are being pitted against corporate rights in the quest to control water. In the words of one protester at the World Water Forum, “Water is the next OPEC”.
Thirst highlights some of the various water fights taking place around the world. In the USA, a Stockholm Mayor approves the right to privatize water. In opposition to the decision, locals form a coalition to call for a citizens’ referendum. Their efforts to thwart the system were unsuccessful. (Though updates on the film’s website show that the water battle is not over yet.)
An attempt to privatize the water in Bolivia’s 3rd largest city brought tens of thousands of protesters to the street. The people were obligated to battle the government, police and even the army, to protect their right to access free water. However, it was only after a sharpshooter killed a teenage protester that the government agreed to expel the US-based Bechtel Corporation.
Thirst tells a compelling part of the water rights’ story and urges us all to take an interest in our water before it is too late.
In Rajasthan, Indian activists are fighting big water companies like Coke and Pepsi who want to control water rights. Yet the grassroots’ movement to preserve water has created numerous water catchment systems, revitalized the area, minimized the distance women need to travel to gather water and fostered a renewed appreciation for the right to access clean water.
Both educational and informative, Thirst tells a compelling part of the water rights’ story and urges us all to take an interest in our water before it is too late.
Order this film on Amazon.com Thirst
Visit: http://www.thirstthemovie.org/ or http://www.bullfrogfilms.com
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