Educational Media Reviews Online

In the Western Province of Kenya, people need to boil water to make it safe to drink. Local authorities will not allow them cut down trees for firewood from the dwindling forests. The vanishing of forests contributes to loss of rainfall, yet the clear necessity of clean water will not abate.

A visionary company, Vestergaard Frandsen, examined the problem and conceived of an innovative, philanthropic solution. It has distributed approximately 900,000 water filters to purify local water with heating. Not only does this ensure safe water and help preserve woodlands, but this water purification project is forecasted to reduce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions by million tons per year.

This is an inspiring story of a win/win scenario. It deftly dismisses the myth that all of those who live in poverty are beyond help. The film’s conclusion emphasizes that “business” needs to rethink its role in communities, and pushes for companies to act responsibly toward creative, humanitarian goals. On a production note, this film makes judicious use of some very interesting camera angles, including first person POV, steady-cam, and underwater shots. Each practice adds design interest for the audience, and is never overdone.

This short documentary is earnest, focused, and tells the complete story despite its brevity. The wealth of honors that have been heaped upon this work are richly deserved. Simply put, this film embodies everything that a short documentary should.

Awards

• Winner, Best Documentary Short, Albany Festival, 2012
• Winner, Best Documentary Short, California International Shorts Festival, 2012
• Winner, Best Documentary, Love Your Shorts Film Festival, 2012
• Winner, Best Documentary Short, Audience Choice Award, and Social Entrepreneurship
• Outstanding Merit Award, The Mix International Film Festival, 2012
• Winner, Sir Edmund Hillary Award for Environmental Film, Mountain Film Awards
• Winner, Best Environmental Short, Santa Cruz Film Festival, 2012