The River Told Me So: 'Water for Life' | Green Film Festival of San Francisco 2024
The work of water defenders in Central and South America will not be hindered.
Dear Moviegoers,
No, true democracy isn’t possible without participation from all communities, and there is no merit in withholding information from the people. The documentary Water for Life, about three Central and South American activists/advocates who are at the forefront of Indigenous land and river struggles against local governments and foreign corporations, proudly exclaims the facts and basic principles of what fully accountable leadership truly ought to be like. At no point in its nearly ninety-minute duration does the film ever waver or falter in the fight against corruption and the strongly-held belief in people power, no matter the dangers.
Water for Life is not breaking new ground as a documentary, as there are plenty of equally important and very well-made movies about the same or similar subject matter available to audiences with the click of a button. However, there is one difference that rings far and wide, and that’s in the specific personal focus on organizing and leading. Three individuals and their various collectives fight for the sanctity and security of their water sources, which they use for farming and life itself, not to mention feel a spiritual bond. Land rights and legal challenges are explained but aren’t the main story. Rather, it’s the advocates and their families, and how they deal - day to day - with the struggle to maintain livelihood and love in the face of intimidation and death.
It’s seriously a tale as old as time, to see average folks accomplish greatness while staring directly at ultimate power, never blinking once. Water for Life, narrated by actor Diego Luna, couldn’t be more hopeful and real if it tried. Assassination attempts, questions on terrorism and the root causes of rebellion, support for government coups, and “investments” in precious resources are all covered in easy-to-grasp words and actions. Simplistic, but never over the heads of anyone watching. A documentary that holds no pretentiousness or arrogant delusion in its message - wow.
Not much else needs to be said or written about this film that hasn’t already been said or written about documentaries of the same ilk and quality. This isn’t a ho-hum film, nor is it derivative. Such a thing would be difficult given its very tight and special approach to the movement leaders at its heart - it beats in a routine pattern but pumps just right all the same.
Not so much exciting as it is appropriately resonant, Water for Life elevates the conversation of progress and greed over people and justice in an above-standard way. We should be so fortunate to see such a film. 4/5
Water for Life screens at the 2024 Green Film Festival of San Francisco, both theatrically and through its virtual portal.