Discours d'eau

The growth of the world's population and the production of goods require ever-increasing quantities of water, which is becoming increasingly precious and, in some areas of the planet, is becoming scarce. At the same time, its commercial exploitation is transforming it from a natural resource to a consumer good, from a right for all to a commodity for those who can afford it. Control of aquifers is also at the center of conflicts and a subject of political pressure, so much so that experts have begun to speak of "hydropolitics." The responsible use and people's right to access water has always been a central theme of our festival, but in this eleventh edition, it is the subject of a dedicated program that includes films and expert discussions. This approach is reinforced by our recent collaboration with the International Water Secretariat, which has coordinated the "International Meetings on Water and Cinema" (RIEC) initiative since 2006, bringing together water specialists, film experts, and a network of international environmental festivals. CinemAmbiente Environmental Film Festival is among the global festivals contributing to the film program that will be presented at the World Water Forum in Istanbul (March 2009). Our selection brings together some of the most significant documentaries produced in the last year, as well as a selection of short films and commercials that have won awards in RIEC competitions. "L'or bleu" is a documentary film that illustrates the water privatization process in Marrakesh, Morocco, and Neufchateau, France. It highlights the role of the French multinationals Suez and Lyonnaise, and the differing access to water for rich and poor alike. The film successfully gives voice to all parties involved, ensuring that water companies are also given a voice. "Discours d'eau" is a valuable documentation of the events in Mexico City during the 4th World Water Forum. Starting with the demands of the Mazahua movement, the film illustrates the positions of those fighting for water as a public good and compares them with the interventions made at the forum by companies and institutions such as the World Water Council. While two documentaries are dedicated to water privatization, there is no shortage of cinematic evidence that seeks to illustrate our relationship with water, including in cultural and religious terms. "One Water" (also selected for the international competition) offers a more poetic perspective, yet insists on recognizing this resource as fundamental to our lives. The water commercials produced as part of RIEC and VIDEAU will instead represent the theme in a fresh, fast-paced, and creative way, aiming to raise awareness of conservation and responsible use. Attention to the theme is present at other parts of the Festival with films about the seas, fishing, and rivers ("Cry Sea," "La Fiuma. Incontri sul Po e dintorni" in the Italian competition, "Alla ricerca del grande fiume" in Panorama). A roundtable discussion will focus on a highly topical issue in Italy, in which experts, environmentalists, and representatives of water management companies will discuss how we Italians, among the populations with the highest levels of drinking water, have become the largest consumers of bottled water.