The ongoing threat of climate change has inspired both fictional films and real action in our society. Water sources have become almost sacred, and many are trying to divert to more environmentally friendly ways of working and living. The documentary The Green Desert details a stark message about the ways people can adapt to our volatile planet.
In the Imperial and Coachella Valleys, farmers rely on the Colorado River system for producing food during the winter. However, the farmers know that this system is on the verge of failure, as the reservoirs they depend on are drying out by the day. This is significant because these farmers produce food for the entire country, not just in that landmass (for example, 90% of US dates are produced in the Coachella Valley).
The documentary is effective because it shows the farmers hard at work harvesting various crops, including alfalfa, dates, and lettuce, which raises the stakes even higher. It’s bad enough that these farmers are facing overwhelming odds with climate change. Seeing their hard work and dedication, along with the startling fact that ninety percent of the country’s winter vegetables are produced in this region, makes it really hit home for the viewer.
Climate change is obviously a threat to these farmers, as they are facing a decades-long drought that is threatening their water supply. However, they also explore bureaucratic obstacles. Many in the area are fighting against the government trying to redistribute these water resources to others. Facing unprecedented drought is bad enough, but it’s compounded further when these workers must fight through bureaucratic red tape to get the resources they need.
The Green Desert also benefits from the various farmers and environmental specialists featured throughout. We meet people like Trevor Tagg, co-owner of West-Gro Farms, and Pat O’Toole, President of the Family Farm Alliance. These and various other people featured throughout are all concerned about the water, as it benefits their own businesses. But it also goes beyond business: if more water resources like the Colorado River dry up, it will impact all of us. These details, along with the film as a whole, are both frightening and riveting. Despite being under an hour long, The Green Desert keeps audiences thoroughly engaged and covers a lot of ground. Its intense presentation of environmental degradation makes for an informative and thought-provoking documentary.
How can The Green Desert be used in classrooms or libraries?
The Green Desert is particularly appealing to students in majors such as Environmental Science, Sustainable Agriculture, Geography, Public Policy, and Economics. These fields benefit from exploring innovative solutions to ecological challenges. Additionally, public library patrons interested in climate change studies, agricultural practices, and sustainability initiatives—such as researchers, policymakers, and community activists—will find valuable insights. By engaging with the green desert, these individuals can deepen their understanding of environmental issues and contribute to meaningful discussions and initiatives in their respective fields.
Note: There are two different versions of The Green Desert, one that runs for 56 minutes and 83 minutes.
Click here to learn more about The Green Desert
Director's Bio
Leo Zahn attended the USC Cinema Film School Los Angeles. He began his film career as director and editor of short-form promos and making-of featurettes for Hollywood studios. Over the course of his 30-year career, Leo directed and photographed more than 600 commercials. He was awarded the International Cinema Advertising CLIO and the Creativity Award from British Art Direction Magazine and has been a member of the Directors Guild of America since 1988. In 2014 he was a working group member of the Motion Picture Academy (AMPAS) Science and Technology Council, charged with creating test materials for the Next Generation Cinema Technology (NGCT) program.
His first feature-length documentary Desert Maverick premiered during Modernism Week 2016. The film was an Official Selection at Newport Beach and American Documentary Festival and won "Best Documentary" at the 2016 Laughlin International Film Festival. Leo’s 2nd feature-length documentary Sinatra in Palm Springs had its World Premiere with two sold-out screenings during Modernism Week 2018 and was the Official Selection of Santa Fe, Phoenix, Pasadena, Newport Beach, Albuquerque, New York, and Amsterdam festivals. Sinatra in Palm Springs was released in North America by Shout! Factory in June 2019 after a 10-month theatrical run in selected theatres in Southern California, Arizona, and Florida. His 3rd documentary film Iconicity premiered at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival and was an Official Selection at 9 film festivals across the globe.
Awards
Official Selection Palm Springs International Film Festival and Fort Myers Film Festival 2024