The feature length version of Water On The Table has been submitted to Hot docs for consideration. And, the broadcast hour will premier on TVO’s The View From Here on March 24th @ 10pm EST.

Making Water On The Table has consumed me entirely, for the last 2-3 years. I was determined to tell a story that would somehow do justice to Maude Barlow’s mission, and that would also present her critics in a three-dimensional, non-dismissive way. I wanted to cinematically express the dramatic dimensions of an ideological divide that is worsening as the world is running out of freshwater. I think the film has achieved this; captured this tension. The issues are dense, political, and nuanced – it took time to wrap my mind around them, and then craft a narrative that wasn’t for dummies or for experts. My editor (Jeremiah Munce) and I were mindful in our approach to steer away from biased manipulative tactics. Yet, it was always the intention to present Maude, the main character, in an intimate tone – to capture the unscripted woman, mother and grandmother, and the media savvy activist.

My hope for the film is that it significantly contributes to a greater conversation.

A big shout out to the A team I put together for this epic endeavor – check out “The Team” on the Water On The Table website.

Nameste.

3 Responses

1. Richelle says:

   February 1, 2010 at 10:48 am

   Congratulations Liz! I can’t wait to see the film!

   Reply
2. mary anne says:

   March 25, 2010 at 11:24 am

   Watched the doc last night and really enjoyed it. Maude is such a passionate character. You really captured her spirit. It was a very personal essay….hard to do those self-narrated docs and at the same time start a discussion about something as complex seemingly as water. But I thought you accomplished that. It had a really beautiful look too…. I loved the cross fade from the tree roots to the dam….very powerful. I’m sure your film will inspire change!
   Congrats to the whole team.

   Reply
3. Donna Deneault says:

   April 11, 2010 at 12:16 pm

   I am anxiously waiting for the this movie to air again on TVO. We were out of the country when it last aired and sadly, there is no way I will be in Vancouver in April for its viewing there.

   I am also hoping that the DVD is viewed in every single elementary school and highschool, by every single child and teen in this country. It is necessary for our future generations to be made aware of the clean drinking water ’situation’ as it stands today. Water IS a human right, just like the air we breathe.

   I was told by friends who already viewed WOTT, that it is wonderful.

   Thank heaven for people like Maude and Liz.

   Sincerely,

   Donna Deneault – Toronto

   Reply