Watch Flint: An American Nightmare

Flint: An American Nightmare is a gripping and thought-provoking documentary that unravels the horrific water crisis that took place in Flint, Michigan. Directed by David Barnhart, the movie takes a deep dive into the causes and effects of the crisis, as well as the human toll it took on the residents of Flint. The documentary starts with a brief background on Flint, a once-thriving industrial town that had fallen on hard times after the closure of General Motors plants. The main focus, however, is the water crisis that began in 2014 when the city switched its water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The switch was made to save money, but the river water was not treated properly, leading to a slew of health problems for residents.

With a combination of interviews with experts and residents, archival footage, and news clips, the documentary tells the story of how the crisis unfolded. We hear from people like Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician who was one of the first to notice the alarming levels of lead in children's blood, and Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech engineering professor who led a team that conducted independent tests on Flint's water.

One of the most heartbreaking parts of the documentary is hearing from the residents of Flint themselves. We see families who've been affected by the crisis, including a woman who explains how her children were taken away by child protective services after their lead levels were found to be too high. We hear from a man who is forced to bathe in bottled water every day and a mother who is forced to use bottled water to cook for her family.

The documentary also delves into the government's response to the crisis. We see how officials at all levels of government, from the city to the state to the federal government, failed the people of Flint. We hear about how officials ignored warnings about the water, dismissed concerns from residents, and covered up data that showed just how bad the situation was.

One of the most compelling parts of the documentary is its exploration of the broader issues that the Flint water crisis exposed. The film notes how the crisis was not just the result of a single mistake or bad decision, but rather the result of systemic problems that exist in our society. We see how race and class played a role in the crisis, as Flint's poor and predominantly African American residents were ignored by the government.

Flint: An American Nightmare is a powerful film that sheds light on a tragedy that continues to affect the residents of Flint to this day. It's a call to action for all of us to remember that we can't take clean water for granted and that we need to hold our government accountable to protect the health and safety of all of its citizens. The documentary is a sobering reminder of the challenges we face as a society and the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone has access to clean water and a safe environment.