Watermark – Edward Burtynsky

Watermark is the latest film by Canadian Photographer Edward Burtynsky and Director Jennifer Baichwal.

The two previously collaborated on 2006 film Manufacture Landscapes which documented the impact of man’s industrial activities on the natural environment.  Watermark is similar thematically but this time examines our relationship with that most precious of resources: water.

Access to water is something that we tend to take for granted in western societies but what do understand about where our water comes from and the impact of how we use and source water?  All aspects of our lives are intricately related to the use and availability of water from the food on our tables, housing, clothing and most essentially the water that we consume that sustains life.

We have shaped our physical environment through the damning and diversion of major rivers to enable us to live to in otherwise hostile environments.  In one scene in the film we see how water from the ancient Ogallala aquifer and centre-pivot irrigation has enabled an arid landscape to be transformed into rich agricultural land.  The aquifer is a finite resource which is being is depleted at an ever increasing rate, but what will be the long term impact of our actions?

In another stunning sequence we see the construction of Xiluodu Dam in China, the scale of which is simply mind-blowing.  When complete the dam will have an electricity generating capacity of 13.8 Megawatts, which is approximately six times the capacity of Hoover dam.

Our cultural relationship with water is also documented during a scene filmed during the Kumb Mehla at Allahabad in Northern India.  During this mass Hindu pilgrimage it’s estimated thirty million people enter the waters of the Ganges which according Hindu tradition allows pilgrims to wash away their sins.

Much like Manufacture Landscapes, Watermark is a deeply thought provoking film which examines our impact on the planet.  The cinematography and imagery is simply stunning and it is most definitely a film to be seen on the big screen if you have the opportunity.  Highly recommended.