Watch Drying For Freedom

Drying For Freedom is a documentary film from 2011 that focuses on the environmental, social, and economic impact of clothes drying machines. The film highlights the importance of using an alternative method of drying clothes, such as the conventional clothesline, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions, save energy, and reduce electricity bills.

The documentary is directed by Steven Lake and features interviews with experts in the field of energy efficiency, environment and sustainability. The documentary aims to raise awareness about a simple yet effective lifestyle choice that can lead to a better future for our planet. The film won the Best Documentary award at the 2011 Portobello Film Festival in London.

The film begins by exploring the history of clothes drying; the use of the sun and the wind to dry clothes has been a common practice for centuries. With the advent of modern technology and the rise of the consumer culture, clothes drying machines became more common. However, the film points out that the widespread use of these machines has a major downside; they consume a huge amount of energy and contribute significantly to carbon emissions.

The documentary presents a range of statistics that highlight the environmental, social, and economic impact of clothes dryers. For example, in the UK, clothes dryers emit over 4 million tonnes of CO2e every year, which is equivalent to the emissions of over 1.8 million cars. Additionally, the cost of operating a clothes dryer for a year is around £96, whereas using an outdoor clothesline is completely free.

The film also highlights the environmental impact of the manufacture and disposal of clothes dryers. The production process of these machines requires a huge amount of energy and resources, including minerals, petroleum-based products, and metals, which are often extracted in environmentally damaging ways. Furthermore, when these machines break down or become outdated, they are often discarded and end up in landfills, where they contribute to pollution and environmental degradation.

To address these issues, the film advocates for the use of clotheslines as an alternative to clothes dryers. Clotheslines, the movie argues, have a range of benefits. They are completely free and require no energy to operate, and they also preserve the life of clothes by avoiding the wear and tear caused by dryers.

The documentary examines the legal and social implications of clotheslines, which are often banned by homeowners associations and building codes. The film argues that these restrictions are often arbitrary and serve to benefit the interests of the companies that produce clothes dryers. The film makes a passionate case for the right to dry, arguing that people should be free to choose how they dry their clothes, without fear of legal repercussions.

Throughout the film, the filmmaker includes interviews with people who use clotheslines in their daily lives. These individuals come from different backgrounds and social strata, but they all share a commitment to environmental sustainability and a belief in the benefits of using clotheslines.

Overall, Drying For Freedom is a thought-provoking and engaging documentary that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of our daily lives. It makes a compelling case for the environmental and social benefits of clotheslines and advocates for a more sustainable and equitable future.

Drying For Freedom is a 2012 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.