Waterborne

I just saw Waterborne about 20 minutes ago at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, KS. I was drawn to the movie because I heard that Dredg (most awesome band practically ever; not a bold statement at all) composed the score. The movie and the music blew me away. So many emotional elements was encompassed. I thought that Ben Rekhi did a great job targeting instinctual drives, discrimination, love, ethical dilemmas, religion, morals and more. Awesome movie!!!! I'd totally watch this again on the big screen. Dredg's music was awesome too. I loved when Dredg's powerfulness was blaring during the night of the first day (I don't feel that I'm being a spoiler by saying this). That was my favorite instrumental moment; very awesome. Now I'm ready for the DVD/soundtrack to come out. A+++++++++++++++++

I, as a witness to the world Trade disaster. I felt very emotionally evolved in this film. I guess I didn't notice the cinematography problems some have commented on. I saw the reality of what can manifest out of the suspicion of innocent people just because they look and act in a different way than most of us expect. As Americans we hardly look inside of ourselves, Perhaps the reality of one of us harming innocent people is hard to except. So we force the blame on what we do not understand about others and strike out against them.I Feel this film is entirely underrated. It should be seen by all of us as Americans. We have to realize that there is good and bad in all. I don't understand why we expect the bad before all.

In Los Angeles, the authorities find that the tap water is contaminated due to a terrorist attack after the death of eight dwellers. The military Ritter (Jon Gries) leaves his wife Jasmine (Lindsay Price) and his daughter at home to patrol the dam with the bigoted and stressed soldier Carlton (Chris Berry). The Sikh matriarch Heera Bhatti (Shabana Azmi), who has a convenience store, increases the price of bottled water and limits the sell to two units per person. Her son Vikram Bhatti (Ajay Naidu) that works with her is not comfortable with her decision. When his Caucasian girlfriend Lillian "Lilly" (Mageina Tovah) visits him at the store, his mother gives a cold reception to her. Meanwhile the local Zach (Christopher Masterson) decides to visit his father with his cousin Bodi (Jake Muxworthy), who is a reckless and unbalanced person. However his father does not accept the Zach brings Bodi and they go to the trailer of Bodi's friend Donovan (Noah Segan). Along the three next days, their lives are entwined with tragic consequences in a environment of violence and despair.

"Waterborne" is an indie movie with an interesting idea of the behavior of people without water. The story shows prejudice everywhere and the conclusion is simple: take the water and people turn into animals, guided by the sense of survival and prejudice.

The direction and the acting are convincing; the screenplay could have been improved but is not bad; the music score contributes with the movie. Unfortunately the camera work and the lighting are very poor. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Estado de Alerta" ("State of Alert")

The impact of current paranoia about domestic terrorist threats are brought home in an provocative story that plays out in a Los Angeles neighborhood when it's discovered that someone has contaminated the water.

Screenwriter/Director Ben Rekhi articulately features differing points of view from disparate characters who eventually intersect as they all struggle with the reality of the lack of water. There are no clichés in this story, which is filled with fully realized characters and some excellent moments as characters face their fears, and the consequences of their actions.

Don't let the fact that Waterborne only received a second runner up audience award at SXSW fool you. The SXSW program this year was full of excellent films that showcased the power of independent film making, and considering Hooligans, arguably the most anticipated world premiere at SXSW '05, the fact that Waterborne placed with an audience award is telling.

Waterborne is a memorable film that deserves a wide audience.

WATERBORNE is an interesting movie, the plot is good and the acting is okay, too. But, the camera work/cinematography leaves a lot to be desired. Sometimes you see only half a face of the actor/actress or the camera moves too much up and down. I felt as if I was watching a home movie. It really bothered me. The music, of course, is another topic. If you like that kind of noise, then it's fine. I wouldn't call it music, though. I am not trying to be overly critical because the movie deserves praise for its content and scriptwriting. If it comes out on DVD, I would definitely recommend it so any viewer can make up their own mind about.