Filmed on location in Malawi, Water First is a character-driven film that conveys the importance of clean water and sanitation in addressing all major global issues and achieving the MDGs set forth by the UN to reduce poverty in developing nations.
Through the inspiring story of Charles Banda, a humble Malawian fireman turned waterman, we see how water is a solution to many of the problems in his impoverished, sub-Saharan country.
Details
LENGTH: 1 x 45′ and 1 x 28′
CAMERA: SD
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS MASTER AVAILABLE: Yes
CLOSED CAPTIONS: Yes
ASPECT RATIO:4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2008
RELEASE YEAR: 2012
PRODUCER: Hart Production
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA-filmed in Malawi
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide
Water First draws a clear correlation between clean water and all of the other Millennium Development Goals. The goals are a set of 8 targets set by the UN in the year 2000 and endorsed by 187 nations. Sadly, at the halfway mark, we are less than halfway there. Charles Banda believes that if more people knew about the MDGs we would have a much better chance of achieving them. And, if clean water was the top priority, achieving the goals would be much more feasible. “30% of the goals would automatically be achieved if everyone had clean water,” says John Oldfield of Water Advocates.
From hunger and poverty to women’s equality and population control, HIV/AIDS to environmental sustainability, Banda makes it clear that the best way to assist and empower people in developing nations, and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is by putting water first.
Filmmaker, Amy Hart not only produced and directed the film, she also shot most of it and edited herself. The project has forged a strong relationship with Charles Banda and Freshwater Project Malawi. Water First gets to the heart of the global water and sanitation crisis,” writes David Douglas, President of Water Advocates. “Through the story of one man in a single African country, Hart documents how development springs from access to safe drinking water. With filmmaking that may save lives, Hart chronicles water’s link to health, girls’ education, environmental protection, women’s empowerment and economic productivity.”
Awards and Festivals
Right to Health in Africa Film Festival, Barcelona, Spain.
International Jury Award, International Water and Film Festival, World Water Forum
Fulbright Cultural Exchange Award, EcoFilm Festival, Rodos, Greece
Environmental Film Festival In The Nation’s Capital
Maryland Film Festival
Global Peace Film Festival
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
Pan African Film Festival, Los Angeles
Starz Pan African Film Festival, Denver
Bergen International Film Festival
Cinespot Environmental Film Festival, Montpelier, France
Cortopotere Film Festival, Bergamo, Italy
UN Environmental Programme Award Film Festival, Istanbul
Voices from the Waters Film Festival, Bangalore
Ulisphotofest, Istanbul
Africala Film Festival, Mexico City
Verviers au Film de l’Eau, Verviers, Belgium
Food and Water-Global Hunger Conference, Chicago IL
Bellingham Human Rights Film Festival
Cascade Festival of African Films
Reviews
“Water First is the perfect primer on the global challenge of providing universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation.” – Sandra Postel, Director of Global Water Policy Project
Eye-opening and inspiring. It is almost impossible for us to imagine living even one day without the clean water we take for granted, but the film compels us to do so. Just as importantly, Water First shows us that it is possible to mend the global water crisis.” – Elizabeth Arkell, Student Movement for Real Change
“A moving and well-done film, featuring African countries, especially Malawi, which would well benefit by access to clean, readily available water and its separation from human waste and wastewater to reduce waterborne diseases and related deaths, childhood stunting, labor and economic deprivations, and poverty. I am not easily impressed, after working in developing countries in water and sanitation for the past 30+ years, but I am impressed by [Amy Hart's] work.” – Barney P. Popkin, Environmental Advisor, U.S. Agency for International Development/Bureau for Asia and the Near East
“This film provides a clear and moving picture of the critical role water plays in each of the 8 United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It can thus be used to raise awareness of clean water supply as well as of the MDGs. The cinematography captures the beauty of the countryside and people in Malawi, and contrasts this with the grim reality faced by women who have to draw water from distant and unprotected water sources. By telling the story of Project Freshwater Malawi, the film also gives an inspiring picture of what can be accomplished by a few dedicated people.” – By Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
“Deftly demonstrates that small change can make a huge impact. I look forward to adding this title to our collection, and I feel it will be used well in a variety of teaching disciplines.” – Patricia O’Donnell, Instructional Media Collections and Services, University of California, Los Angeles
“I really liked the wisdom of the local people: ‘If we were rich and we had money, the government would have come to assist us, but we are poor.’ See any parallels with AIG, subprime housing, etc? I recommend this film to people who want to learn (or teach others) about water in the developing world.” – Dr. David Zetland, Natural Resource Economics and Political Economy, UC Berkeley
“Excellent…Charles Banda is an excellent role model for those who want to contribute something positive at the community level; and he never looks back to see how many are following his good example.The important message is that he is doing it in a very ordinary way, and that ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they want to contribute without expecting any special rewards.” – Luis Gutierrez, Editor, Solidarity, Sustainability, and Non-Violence Research Newsletter
“Water First lets the people of Malawi speak for themselves as viewers are invited to watch the daily struggle of life without access to clean water. Overall, the film is informative and cogently makes the case that water is a fundamentally important issue in advancing human rights and community development in impoverished countries around the world.” – Liz Simmons, Feminist Review
“Clean water is the best way to empower people in developing nations…[In Malawi, Charles Banda] believes that a reliable source of clean water is the key to realizing most of the MDGs. Banda narrates this film and his words together with powerful visuals of Malawi’s landscapes and its citizens demonstrate that water is life…Science, geography, current events, sociology, anthropology, and government classes can utilize this production to learn about the environmental issues facing developing nations.” – Patricia Ann Owens, School Library Journal
“An excellent and worthwhile film, especially for undergraduate students in development studies, since it shows the interconnectedness of development problems. In particular, it demonstrates how water can serve as an entry point for development organizations in addressing the most pressing problems at the community level.” – Sylvia Bergh, Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, Anthropology Review Online
