Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Based on the book Blue Gold by Maude Barlow and Tony Clarke, director Sam Bozzo's documentary warns viewers of a thirsty and unstable future if we don't change the ways in which we currently use water. Symptoms of this global crisis-in-the-making—outlined here in extensive interviews—include: private corporations operating the water supplies of major cities and countries; Coca-Cola being cheaper than water to buy in certain developing nations; investors speculating on the value of water on the stock market; and companies engaged in transporting water to drier locations (effectively creating two deserts where there was one). Scholars, scientists, and activists such as Vandana Shiva weigh in on these topics, while representatives from corporations like Coca-Cola and water hunters including Rick Davidge talk about the business side of the issues at hand. Actor Malcolm McDowell's narration lends an appropriately sinister tone to this eye-opening documentary, which levels a sustained and effective critique against the alarming trend toward privatized water, while also offering a glimpse of hope in its profiles of successful grassroots campaigns against corporate ownership of water in places as varied as Wisconsin and Bolivia. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Wadland)