Tapped 2009
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Michael and Michelle Walrath
Directed by Stephanie Soechtig
DVD, color, 75 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Environmental Studies, Health Sciences, Economics, Global Issues, Business, Government
Date Entered: 10/07/2010
Reviewed by Ronald Saskowski Jr., ASRC Management Services, Atlanta, GARunning around town and you grab a bottle of water? Spending the day at the beach and need hydration and reach for the bottled water? Ever stop to think about how that water got into that bottle?
Tapped, the story of the rise in popularity of bottled water, might just have you think about that bottled water. This incredibly well-balanced piece takes the viewer on a journey beginning with the mining of the water and ending with the immense pollution created by plastic bottles. The bottled water culture began with the importing of Perrier but evolved into a mass marketing campaign for revenue. The big three companies, Nestle, Coke and Pepsi, are highlighted and their powers of acquisition and marketing are showcased. The community battles involving citizens fighting to keep their tap water is given a respectable amount of screen time.
The health side of bottled water is explored regarding the regulation and testing of the water and the effects of the manufactured plastic bottles. Communities around chemical plants creating the plastics are visited and citizens interviewed, providing a heartbreaking look at another effect of the bottled water culture.
Cinematically, this film is extraordinary. The beginning credits are displayed on water bottles, substituting text on the labels with the credits. Tapped is extremely well put together flowing from topic to topic without missing a beat. It provides the viewer with all sides of the story and includes interviews with professionals and citizens. The musical score fits perfectly with the theme of the film.
The DVD also includes a 54 minute version which was not viewed in its entirety for this review. A cursory viewing showed that the major points of the longer version were included.
This film is highly recommended for the intended audience. While this film touches numerous disciplines, Libraries serving programs in environmental science, ecology, and marketing as well as public health would benefit by having this in their collections.