WaterAid is delighted to announce its award-winning, intimate documentary portrait ‘Water is Coming’, has been selected to feature as part of this year’s Big Syn International Film Festival in London, the world’s biggest sustainability film festival.
‘Water is Coming’ was directed and produced by Aśka Faron from WaterAid UK. In keeping with WaterAid’s pioneering approach to give communities control over how their stories are told, this film was produced in close collaboration with WaterAid Bangladesh and local filmmakers, as well as the Munda community of Bhetkhali, where they tell their own story, in their own words.
It highlights the daily impact of climate change on people’s lives through the eyes of Deben Munda, a community elder living in one of the most climate-vulnerable places on the planet – the Sundarbans in southern Bangladesh.
Taking a deeply personal approach, the film shows the human side of the climate and water crisis by shining a light on a life that’s been shaped by it. Through tales of survival amid floods and cyclones, and hopes for the future, he paints a portrait of an extraordinary life on the frontlines of the climate crisis, and the courageous community who call this land home. WaterAid is now working alongside them to ensure a reliable supply of clean water.
Community Elder, Deben Munda said:
“Everyone has a purpose. They want to do good in life. But we do not have the power to fulfil these dreams. We do not have the power to do this alone. What we need most is access to clean water. We are facing so many climate change challenges that people’s survival is becoming a huge concern. I find peace and happiness when I look at my children and grandchildren playing. I want them to have clean water and stay healthy. I just want them to be happy.”
‘Water is Coming’ has received several accolades, including Best Documentary Short at the Awareness Film Festival, Best Documentary short at the Impact Docs Awards, official selection at The NGO International Film Festival, and acquisition by WaterBear (where it will premiere this November). A clip from the film will also feature in the Big Syn’s Festival’s official trailer, screened on Europe’s largest screen, Piccadilly Lights, on 17 October 2024 as well as worldwide via bigsyn.org from 17 to 26 October.
A second film, ‘Before the Dawn’, directed by WaterAid’s David Jobanputra and co-produced by David Jobanputra and Ram Saran Tamang has also been selected for the Big Syn Festival. It follows the story of Ajit, a 21-year-old student who is partially sighted and whose education was transformed when WaterAid supported his school to have accessible clean water and toilet facilities.
Both films embody WaterAid’s representation policy and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to ensuring communities have control over how their stories are communicated, are active in representing themselves and that there is a consistent, ethical methodology in gathering, using and publishing content from communities.
Aśka Faron, Director and Producer of Water is Coming, said:
“Working on this film has been the most meaningful experience of my professional life so far. The chance to spend time with Deben, listen to his incredible stories, and experience his endless generosity is something that will stay with me forever. When the team and I were leaving Bhetkhali, Deben said that even though we might not get to meet again, he was pleased that we’d always have the stories we shared with each other. I hope this film can help us share his story more widely, and use it to continue driving meaningful change, not just in Bhetkhali, but all the communities around the world who still don’t have access to clean water and decent sanitation.”
Through the festivals, WaterAid hopes to raise awareness of the fact that the climate crisis is a water crisis and bring to life the human side of its impact. Big Syn is led by OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY award-winning celebrities and leaders from sustainability, policy and media.
Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive, WaterAid, said:
“We are incredibly proud to have ‘Water is Coming’ receive so much recognition and be selected to feature at this year’s Big Syn International Film Festival. By sharing stories like Deben’s, communities can tell the world about the challenges they face because of a lack of access to clean water, and how adapting to climate change is a constant struggle.
“Almost one in ten people globally lack clean water, and climate change is making the situation worse, as more frequent flooding affects fragile water sources, while longer droughts dry up springs. Ensuring a reliable supply of clean water which, together with decent toilets and good hygiene, protects people from the worst effects of weather extremes. Having the opportunity to communicate this stark situation through film, engages audiences to act and to demand change.”
The films will screen on bigsyn.org from 17-26 Oct 2024 to viewers worldwide.
