Watch Waterschool

Waterschool is a documentary film released in 2018 which explores the issue of water conservation and the power of educating young girls in developing countries about the importance of water. The film is directed by Lena Macdonald and produced by Edward Norton and his company, Class 5 Films. The film is one hour and 28 minutes long.

The documentary is centered around the story of six different schools across the world, from the mountains of Peru to the African savannah, each with a unique relationship to water. In each location, the film takes the viewer through the daily routine of the students and how they are taught the importance of water conservation and the local water ecosystem. Waterschool also shows the various activities students engage in to protect their water sources and educate their communities.

The documentary illustrates the harsh realities that many communities worldwide endure due to inadequate access to clean water. The film highlights the challenges people in these communities face, especially women and girls who have to walk miles every day to fetch water in some places.

Waterschool also emphasizes the critical role of educating and empowering young girls in developing countries. One scene shows a young Kenyan girl who has assumed the responsibility of ensuring her family has enough water. She speaks with confidence about the measures they must take, which proves to be quite significant in preventing waterborne diseases.

The film also features some prominent water conservation activists, such as Li An Phoa, a biotechnologist from the Netherlands who founded the Drinkable Rivers movement. She is seen in the documentary engaging with students and teachers in one of the schools in Peru, discussing the importance of using less fertilizers and herbicides in agriculture because they pollute the waterways.

The documentary also explores how each school is unique in its approach to water, depending on the local context. For instance, while the school in Brazil, located in the Amazon, focuses on the importance of protecting water sources against pollution from mining, the school in Kenya emphasizes rain harvesting techniques to overcome the water scarcity challenge.

Apart from the primary theme of education, the film also incorporates wildlife conservation into its narrative. In one scene, students in Kenya learn about the impact of human activities on their local water sources, which also affects wildlife. They actively engage in community mobilization, where they sensitize the villagers about the effect of cattle farming on the local rivers, which is contaminating the water.

The documentary's editing is superbly executed, using a lot of footage showing the students in their natural, unguarded moments. This approach helps make the film feel authentic and offers a real feel of the experiences, challenges, and triumphs these communities face.

One of the features of Waterschool that stands out is how the director used a wide range of music genres, particularly curating local music from each country in the documentary. The use of music helps evoke emotions and create an immersive experience for the viewer.

In conclusion, Waterschool is a powerful and inspiring documentary that raises awareness of the importance of water conservation while also highlighting the transformative power of education. The film effectively combines environmental and social issues, delivering a message of hope and empowerment. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in water conservation, environmental stewardship, and education.