Tapped

This docu-exposé assails the bottled-water industry without so much as a drop of Michael Moore–esque humor to make the alarmist data go down easier as it decries the corporate takeover of one of humankind's essential commodities. Labels such as Dasani and Aquafina are exposed as offering primarily tap water (run through a filtration system, if you're lucky) sold to gullible consumers at a markup of more than one thousand percent by multinationals such as Pepsi and Nestlé. Filmmakers Stephanie Soechtig and Jason Lindsey deliver a barrage of complaints against Big H20, highlighting the dangers to freshwater sustainability, the toxicity of petroleum byproducts used for packaging, and the growing problem of discarded containers in landfills and waterways. Viewers learn that a “gold rush” for drinkable water is underway in the United States, with companies ignoring local conservation edicts to pump untold gallons during droughts, while residents adjacent to bottling plants in Texas suffer assorted health ailments. At the same time, those ubiquitous polymer bottles (corporate villain BP makes a timely appearance as one of the petro-giants that contribute material) continue to overburden municipal recycling facilities. Interviews with activists, environmentalists, community representatives, and affected residents overlay the compelling film footage, with only a few spokespersons for the “water barons” defending their business. Covering some of the same material as Flow (VL-3/09), this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $295 from Bullfrog Films, www.bullfrogfilms.com.] Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)