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Filmmaker Unveils Global Water Crisis, Women Bear Brunt
19 Feb
Summary
- Billions lack access to clean water and reliable sanitation.
- Industrial pollution and corporate water extraction worsen scarcity.
- Women and girls disproportionately bear the burden of water collection.
The documentary series 'The Struggle for Mother Water' by filmmaker Michael Zelniker sheds light on the critical global water crisis, where billions lack access to clean drinking water and reliable sanitation. The series, which participated in the Berlinale Series Market, documents the challenges people face in obtaining potable water, from polluted rivers in Ethiopia to contaminated sources in India.
Industrial pollution, such as tar sands oil refining near Fort McKay First Nation in Canada, and corporate water extraction, exemplified by Nestle and Blue Triton/Primo Brands in France and California, are identified as major contributors. These practices not only pollute water sources but also create shortages, impacting local communities and economies.
The United Nations designated clean water as a fundamental human right in 2010. However, the crisis disproportionately affects women and girls, who spend an estimated 250 million hours daily collecting water, impacting their health, safety, and opportunities. This gender dimension is central to Zelniker's documentary, with women voicing most of the series.
Zelniker also criticizes deregulation and profit-driven industries that disregard environmental consequences, urging a greater sense of responsibility towards future generations and the planet. The series' selection for Berlinale signifies its market viability and potential to reach a wide audience with its urgent message.
