[Environment] Films and documentaries related to water resources [Media].
Hello everyone.
This time, I collected films in this issue that will help you learn about water resources through film and make you think about them.
While it is entertaining, the information is easily absorbed as you learn along with the images.
I hope this will be helpful for all kinds of people, whether you are in the education field and want to show it to those around you, or you want to learn on your own but want to start with a film/documentary for entertainment!
It is very difficult to face water issues just by living in Japan, so I hope that people, especially those in Japan and those who are not vocal about water issues in their communities, will take a look at this.
Many of them can be recommended as regular works of art, so please be sure to check them out.
So here you go.
Table of Contents
Main problems of water resources
The water-related problem that comes to mind in general terms is the problem of “lack of usable water.
However, there are various cases that lead up to that situation of unavailability.
Surprisingly, the causes of water problems differ from piece to piece, so I think it would be fun to enjoy and learn about such things as well!
Films in Japan
This is a film in Japan.
The Dry Spell (Kassui)
Country of production: Japan
Director: Masaya Takahashi
Year of production: 2023
Running time: 100 min.
Original story: “Drought” by Mitsuru Kawabayashi (Kadokawa Bunko)
Starring: Ikuta Dojin (Toshisaku Iwakiri)
Co-starring: Mugi Kadowaki, Yuto Isomura, Machiko Ono, Kankuro Kudo
Release date: June 2, 2023
Subtitled by KADOKAWA
Synopsis
During a summer of continuous sunshine, Shunsaku Iwakiri (Toma Ikuta), who works for the city's water department, and his colleague Kida (Yuto Isomura) spend day after day visiting homes with delinquent water bills and turning off the water supply. His relationship with his wife (Machiko Ono) and children is not going well, and he is thirsty. With water supply restrictions in effect throughout the prefecture, Iwakiri meets two young sisters, Keiko (Nanami Yamazaki) and Kumiko (Yuzuho), who are left alone in their home. Their father has evaporated, and their mother (Kadowaki Mugi), who raises them alone, has not returned. The sisters' father has been evicted, and their mother (Kadowaki Mugi), who is raising the sisters alone, has not returned. Iwakiri is conflicted, but follows the rules and carries out the water shutdown...
（Filmarksより抜粋）
Recommendations
It was not a water main thing to look at, more of a family issue thing.
But there have been very few drought films set in Japan, so in that sense, it was probably an innovative film.
Or rather, this is the only Japanese film I am aware of at the moment. If anyone knows of any others, please let me know.
As for the piece itself, I found some of the acting a bit distracting, the dialogue a bit too ready, and the ending a bit too stylish.
But, there has never been a film from Japan that has the drama to go with the water issue? So, I recommend it to those who want to start from Japan! So, I recommend it to those who want to start from Japan.
If you prefer books to movies! If you are a bookish person, you might want to check out the book version as well.
Foreign Films
ザ・Even the Rain (ザ・ウォーター・ウォー)
Country of the work:Spain, France, Mexico
Director: Isial Bojain
Year of production: 2010
Synopsis
Mexican filmmakers Sebastian and Costa were shooting a film in Bolivia about the conquest by Christopher Columbus when their shooting schedule coincided with a protest in Cochabamba and they became embroiled in controversy. Local residents rose up against the privatization of the water supply. The production was beset by more and more problems, and as the riots escalated, tensions between the crews grew.
Recommendations
Since it is Latin America, I would personally guess.
The main character was a great sight to behold, as the actor was that famous Mexican actor! (Isn't he a bit like Frodo from The Lord of the Rings?)
The acting is really like that and draws you into the world.
Films about Latin America are summarised in a separate article for those interested.
Blue Gold: World Water Wars
Country of production: USA
Directed by Sam Bozzo.
Year of production: 2008
Synopsis
Shocking documentary about a water crisis more serious than global warming.
A survival film about surviving in the 21st century, an era of ‘water wars’.
The documentary reveals the various ‘water wars’ taking place around the world: water utilities forcing developing countries to privatise their water utilities; Wall Street targeting investment in desalination technology and water export schemes; corrupt politicians using water rights for their own profit and political gain; and corporations trying to monopolise water resources. Director Sam Bozzo's documentary reveals the current state of the ‘water wars’ around the world.
（https://www.uplink.co.jp/bluegold/ : reference
Recommendations
What would happen if water utilities were privatised?
This is what actually happened in the USA. Private rights are being adopted by an increasing number of municipalities in Japan every day.
How about as a learning resource?
ＭＩＮＡＭＡＴＡ－ミナマタ－
Country of production: United States of America
Directed by Andrew Levitas
Year of production: 2020
Starring Johnny Depp as W. Eugene Smith.
Year of release: 23 September 2021 (Japan).
Co-stars: Hiroyuki Sanada, Hayao Kunimura, Miho, Ryo Kase, Tadanobu Asano
Synopsis
In 1971, photographer W. Eugene Smith visits Minamata, Japan, devastated by mercury poisoning. Guided by an enthusiastic interpreter and encouraged by local villagers, Smith's powerful photographs expose decades of gross negligence.
Recommendations
Anyone with compulsory education in Japan has heard of it! Yes, it is a film about Minamata disease.
That Johnny Depp is involved, and if you simply want to see a quality film without missing out, this is the one to see.
The journalist's starting point allows him to see the film from a third-party, bird's-eye view.
Water & Power: A California Heist
Country of production: United States of America
Directed by Marina Zenovic.
Year of production: 2017
Genre: Documentary.
Running time: 79 minutes.
Synopsis
The National Geographic documentary Water and Power looks at the water shortages occurring in California and the powers behind them.
Agriculture is an important industry in California, growing half of the fruit and vegetables consumed in the entire USA. However, a few powerful people have manipulated water resources, and drought and depleted groundwater have left residents with severe water shortages. Water has become a high-priced commodity and not only the local population but also the rest of the world is becoming aware of the problem.
Through multifaceted investigations, the programme looks at how those in power are manipulating water resources and putting people at risk. It looks at what the future holds for California agriculture and the lives of its residents, and whether this is a problem for the US and the world that cannot be left to others.
Recommendations
The two main water rights regimes in California coexist side by side: the coastal principle and the exclusive principle. Water rights regimes in the USA vary from state to state, with coastalism prevailing in the east and dedicatedism in the west.
In California, the following water conservation obligations are imposed on businesses and residents as a drought measure.
Limit watering of decorative gardens and lawns to a maximum of twice a week.
Watering of lawns and other areas during rainfall and for 48 hours after rainfall and during the day (9am-6pm) is prohibited.
Water overflowing onto footpaths is prohibited.
California's drought is attributed to climate change-induced warmer temperatures that are drying out the soil and reducing the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The region has also experienced two unusually dry winters that did not bring the necessary wind and rainfall to the region.
Please keep checking this website from time to time for further information on water rights, which we hope to publish in a separate article!
A Plastic Ocean (プラスチックの海)
Synopsis
This adventure documentary was filmed in over 20 locations between 2012 and 2016. Explorers Craig Leeson and Tanya Streeter and an international team of scientists reveal the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and share solutions.
Recommendations
Sorry, I have to admit that I haven't seen this one personally yet, but I think it is a film that can help us learn about the plastic problem.
It is a big, big production, with Leonardo DiCaprio also involved in the work.
Personally, I would love to have the chance to see it!
Others, SF
This is a science fiction film that addresses water issues a bit, although water issues are not the main focus. It has a lot of gag elements, so if you want to see it in a milder light, you can start here.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004).: A science fiction film about people struggling to survive in an ice age suddenly brought on by global warming.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): Action film about people fighting over petrol and water in an apocalyptic world where water resources have been depleted.
The Invisible Water
This documentary film deals with water issues around the world. It focuses on a range of issues, including the mass production of bottled water and conflicts over water resources.
The link above will take you to a short film on Youtube that takes about five minutes to watch, so if you are interested in animation, have a quick look.
Damnation
This documentary film deals with the history of dam construction in the USA and its impact on the environment and local communities.
The content is based on the position of the citizens who lived there first regarding the construction of the dam.
Dams are sometimes useful, but they remind us that it is important to have a flexible dialogue with local people.
There are no longer a limited number of places where you can watch the film, and now you have to wait for a cinema that will show it, but we encourage you to see it when you get the chance.
Conclusion
How was the article?
Surprisingly, the number of films on water issues is not as large as the number of overall climate change films.
However, there are a few masterpieces, albeit few, and we hope you will take a look at the ones you are interested in.
You can read more about films on climate change and other environmental themes in this article.
Well then!
English 
Japanese