Reflection: A Walk with Water 2022
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Emmett Brennan, Nicholas Brennan, Matthew Monahan, and Adam Fell
Directed by Emmett Brennan
Streaming, 79 mins
College - General Adult
Climate Change; Earth Science; Environment; Sustainability
Date Entered: 01/03/2023
Reviewed by LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources Department, Bronx Community College of the City University of New YorkThis film takes the viewer on a three-week trek, illustrating the natural and colorful landscape along the 200-mile Los Angeles Aqueduct with filmmaker Emmett Brennan. This film shows both the beauty and destructive impact of humankind on the natural land. The film revolves around the urbanization of the California region and the paths this urbanization has played on water, our main natural resource. The viewer, along with Brennan, meet many of the diverse cultural, and ecological people who point to the powerful relationship between water, the natural world and mankind. The natural landscape is the ‘napkin’ dipped into the water when it rains. That is when you see nature at its most natural and best. When we tear up and put gravel in place of the natural soil, we are in essence destroying the natural land.
Brennan discusses the urbanization of many cities across the United States; in California, the surface of many places has been drastically changed in the name of progress. He shows that water means different things to different people. In households, schools and workplaces, water can mean health, hygiene, dignity, and productivity. In cultural, religious, and spiritual places, water can mean a connection with creation, community, and oneself. In natural spaces, water can mean peace, harmony, and preservation. What Reflection is saying up close and personal, is that water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change. This is a thought-provoking film about an essential source we use every day of our lives. Reflection is also saying that if we don’t be very careful, we may lose one of life’s essential resource.
Awards:Tribeca Festival Special Selection, 2021; Denver Film Festival, Special Selection, 2021; Transitions Film Festival, Special Selection, 2022
Published and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Anyone can use these reviews, so long as they comply with the terms of the license.