Educational Media Reviews Online

A Thirst for Justice explores pollutants in the freshwater supplies of the United States. Viewers learn why communities in the 21st century have lead, uranium, and crude oil threatening their public water and the costs. In an hour, the filmmakers take viewers to Arizona, Michigan, North Dakota, and Wisconsin to see examples including in a Navajo reservation and a Flint town hall meeting. To explain the events and issues, a diverse group is interviewed including scientists, activists, industry officials, law enforcement, physicians, shaman, and journalists. The environmental justice of these different examples is also briefly explored.

The film is best for those viewers with limited time who are studying environmental justice and needing several examples within the U.S. The documentary is recommended for community viewings and classrooms interested in drinking water pollution. Captions are provided to help viewers capture the fast-paced actions and discussions. Also, the film is appropriate for other classes studying environmental and indigenous studies relating to health, policy, and law. Designed to be viewed from start to finish, but with a little prep the film could be shortened to about 45 minutes without loss of much content. Unfortunately, there is not a film menu to assist in identifying relevant portions for classes with limited time, so instructors will need to plan ahead and select portions themselves. This documentary could compliment but does not replace the excellent documentaries produced on these separate topics including Homeland: Four Portraits of Native Action and Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock.

Awards:
2019 Humanitarian Award of Distinction, Documentary feature, Accolade Global Film Competition; 2019 Best Documentary Feature, Gallup Film Festival

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