Our fresh water supplies … the rivers of this world … and their journeys around our planet …
Okavango delta - an inland one
in Botswana, Africa
River, rivers burning bright, sparkling perspicuity for life on earth … though this now is almost not so …
… recently we've had fire, floods, storms and all manner of natural plagues that our earth has to deal with, humans have to cope with as per their apparent ability to believe they can control ...
Ural River - flowing south from
Russian into Kazakhstan
… two mega river floodings very recently in the enormous continent that is Eurasia (Europe, Russia, China and the far East); fires burning again in western Canada …
We've manipulated some rivers – which haven't done us any favours … however to get back to my subject for Earth Day … the film 'River' – which our film society promoted in 2022 …
It's an Australian film – with an outstanding exploration of the timeless relationship between human civilisation and Earth's rivers, in all their majesty and fragility.
Pearl River basin
Six rivers in six continents … reflect the extraordinary differences of each of these water-courses … I cannot now remember exactly which rivers were highlighted …
There's captivating cinematography, with distinctive narration from Willem Dafoe, the music score is exceptional … and is available to listen to …
Our six continents
(Eurasia counts as one)
I've been wanting to write about this film for ages and need to re-watch it … there's so much to it – and I often need to see or read things twice to absorb the salient bits I can get my head around …
If you get a chance do watch 'River' – it is different … the trailer (2.28 mins) will tempt you to see the film …
Poster for the film
As the tag line notes: 'The arteries of the planet are the arteries of humanity' – it is a cinematic odyssey exploring the waterways that have shaped our world, in all their majesty and fragility.
The score features iconic works by composers including Bach and Ravel, music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead, new original music by Richard Tognetti and the peerless indigenous composer William Barton …
Please see Wikipedia for further details of
these amazing instruments - the didgeridoo
Australian Chamber Orchestra logo
Jennifer Peedom's astonishing visuals are extraordinarily powerful … reminding us of the fragility of this world, and the damage we, as humans, are doing to it - we are poisoning it …
Let us seriously reflect … each day we must do a little more to help life on earth … the rivers are our life-blood …
Belated Earth Day … take your time, absorb the film and its impact …
Directors Jennifer Peedom and Joseph Nizeti;
Robert McFarlane's accompanying words, narrated by Willem Dafoe;
Music by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and Radiohead;
Conductor, composer and artistic director – the Australian violinist Richard Tognetti; and indigenous composer William Barton, and didgeridoo player.
Enjoy – it will make you think …
Australian Chamber Orchestra 'River' film link ...
IMBd - link to trailer for 'River' ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
23 comments:
It sounds like a beautiful film, well worth watching more than once. I will look for it on my streaming services. I grew up in the Midwestern United States, with great rivers as my neighbors-- the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers.
Hari OM
It is a stunner. It is worth mentioning that it is available for rent or purchase on YouTube (a bit cheaper than the Amazon Prime offering). YAM xx
I will look for this.
Thanks. :)
That sounds like my kind of film. Rivers are so vital. I know our source of water (the Colorado) has been drying up as of late. Too many people, not enough rain.
How I wish that Australia managed our riverine system better. Sadly we don't. And haven't. And our dry country is paying a hefty price.
@ Karen - it is a very moving film ... well worth taking your time and watching. That's great ... I do hope you enjoy it. Yes - the USA has many many great rivers ... it's the dams, reservoirs, re-alignment etc that have altered each river's natural rhythm ...
@ @ Yam - great you've seen it ... and thanks for the reminder about the Youtube and Amazon links ...
@ Rita - thanks ... you'll enjoy it I'm sure ...
@ Liz - you're right and the Colorado I think is one of the rivers featured ... might have been the Hoover Dam aspect ... also too many people, as well as the era's water cycle ... lots of things to consider.
@ EC - yes I've read recently about the river systems ... both in the east and the west - I think the Murray River in the east, and the Murchison or Gascoyne in the west ...
Cheers to you five - Hilary
There are many deserts in the world, but Australia has such a large proportion of its land mass that is unlivable, the film coming from here makes perfect sense.
Six rivers in six continents suggests governments everywhere need to get involved RAPIDLY.
It sounds like a film everyone should watch at least twice.
Thank you for the pointer.
I shall have to make a point to watch this film, Hilary. It is an appropriate time in human history to be focussed on water in all its forms as we continue to be profligate in our use of it, and incredibly stupid in our lack of respect for it, with polluted streams, river and lakes the norm not the exception. Australia seems like an especially appropriate place to focus this attention. The dry continent is getting ever drier. I read recently that Western Australia will be in dire straits due to lack of water within thirty years, and expensive desalination plants are under consideration. There was little appetite for conservation and remediation it seems. We have this blind faith in technology and that will ultimately be our downfall. Enough ranting……have a great day. Gros bisous de ton ami Canadien - David
@ Hels - yes Australia has an interesting geological history ... there was a huge inland lake aeons ago ... the film is wonderful - people need to act rapidly as you say ... governments can only encourage ...
@ Janice - it's well worth watching - and I'm glad you'll be looking at it ...
@ David - thanks ... yes - it is an important watch - very enlightening ... and yes - we are all stupid in our behaviour to our lands and its earth.
I'll be writing a bit more about Australia at some stage.
Western Australia - they've had regulations to control the river usage - especially in the vineyards ... which I found interesting.
As I think you've implied that technology will be our saviour ... that I doubt - nature does its thing, doesn't it ...
A drink or two in a vineyard in western Australia with you and Miriam would be so (so) enjoyable ... so gros bisous de ton ami Angleterra (? French grammar!) ..
Cheers to the three of you - and thanks for your comments - Hilary
I would very much like to see this film but with our French TV and no streaming services I might be hard pressed to find it. Maybe we can track it down through our Australian BIL. Interesteing post. Thanks Hilary. Cheers Diane
Hi Diane - yes I know about your connectivity challenges - so hope you can find it to watch at some stage ... as you say perhaps via your BIL. Thanks for coming by - now enjoy that French garden of yours, after you've returned from Namibia - fantastic trip. Cheers Hilary
Hi, Hilary - Thank you for the link to the trailer for this incredibly powerful film. The trailer alone made me hold my breath. Richard and I will definitely be watching the full film.
The rivers are indeed our lifeblood. Have a grand weekend, Hils.
I’d love to see the film, Hilary. It sounds wonderful and very much my type of subject. Thanks for all the links!
I've never watched it, but I do think I'd enjoy it. So would my husband. I'll make a date for it. Thanks.
@ Sandra - still cold and wet here - but have had a good weekend.
@ Val - that's great - hope you can get to watch it sometime soon ...
@ Debi - excellent to note you and hubby will make a plan to watch it ...
Cheers to the three of you - Hilary
It sounds like a wonderful and important film.
That sounds like a really interesting film auntie Hilary. I hope mummy watches it in our room some time.
Locksley from George’s guinea pig world.
Happy Late Earth Day to you. I shall see if any of my streaming services offer that film. I do like nature documentaries and films that make one think. Sorry if I've been remiss in commenting. Been up in PA to clean out the old homestead. It went smoothly enough. Brought back some memories, stories, etc. Oh my. Hope you are doing well this spring. Your posts have been perky and welcoming to read. Take care
@ Annalisa - I hope you can get to watch it ...
@ Jemima - well Locksley - that sounds like a good plan ... I hope you get to watch the film with mummy! Wonderful scenery for you to dream on ...
@ Joanne - oh well done on being up in PA cleaning up - always so difficult: these times of moving on for your father.
Good to know about the memories and stories coming back - now is the time to write them down - even in draft format.
No worries re the commenting - time is time, and needs must ... always good to see you - and thanks for your uplifting comment ...
Cheers to the three of you - we're into another week of 'wet' ... but when the sun creeps through - 'tis warm ... Hilary
I need to look into that movie. We changed the course of the Mississippi (a few times, I think) and it has caused problems that we either don't know how to solve or aren't interested in solving.
Hi Dan - yes I know the States has altered your river systems in places, as we've done ours. It's the unintended consequences that never seem to be realised ... but this film is well worth watching - hope you can find it - cheers Hilary
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