A refreshing approach to a story that needs telling.
The host/narrator slips from outside to inside
with ease: sometimes telling us, sometimes
commenting on what someone else said, occasionally
giving his take. The break in that fourth wall
works well. Good mix of voices, music used
sparsely for sweetening (though the choices of music
sometimes perplexed me). The doc starts out
just a bit preachy, but at least lets me know
that this is not an "outside about" but an "inside
about": that I shouldn't expect multiple facets.
Makes me want to hear more from the producer/s.
Good tech, too.
This is a great piece of work. The piece isn't just another environmental documentary. "Dying For Water" weaves cultural stories, myth, history, science and even Scotland into this sound rich tapestry. The interviews are authentic and intriguing. Great voices and there is humor as well. Not your usual fare when talking about endangered species. I love the traditional singing though I had trouble with the sound level of the singer/guitarist. She probably would have been better miked further away. It was a bit off putting. The host grew on me. At first I found him intrusive after hearing these great textured voices and wonderful archival reports from Native America Calling. But after a while I got used to his casual and friendly delivery. I just wanted him to link the other voices and topics more and follow the mood of the documentary more. Still great stuff and highly recommended. Stations in the Northwest and California should really take a listen to this piece. Salmon is one of our very pertinent concerns and this exploration by Hoopa Tribal Radio is a contender.
I wasn't prepared to like this piece. Since it was co-produced by Hoopa Tribal Radio, I assumed it would be one-sided and preachy in its telling of the story of an environmental disaster: The killing of 68,000 Chinook Salmon in the Klamath River Basin. While this documentary does indeed present only a single point-of-view, it's not at all preachy. But enough about my preconceptions. The focus should really be on this documentary. So, here goes: The production values are very high. There's a great mix of music, voices and natural sound. It's thoughtful and effective. The narrator is down-to-earth, easy to listen to and very non-NPR (and that's a great thing!). And most important, the content does a great job of telling the listener why the Chinook Salmon are so important to the tribal people in the area. Elders, anthropologists and tribal leaders explain the importance of the historical and cultural importance of salmon, but an average guy, about 19 minutes into this doc, says it best: "The salmon. That's our life ... We live in an area with 90 percent unemployment. Fish is what we eat in the winter time." And then there's this at about 23 minutes: "Fish can't live without water." OK. That's obvious enough. But wait. The government disagrees. At a public meeting, a federal official from the Bureau of Reclamation told a crowd, "We have no scientific proof that fish really do need water." Huh? It's an amazing, funny moment. It draws you in. And you want to learn more about the topic. Many programmers may be reluctant to air this piece in places far from Northern California, but this story --- the fight over water and the importance of natural resources to tribal people --- is universal.
Comments for Dying for Water: Indians, Politics and Dead Fish in the Klamath River Basin
Produced by Rhoby Cook and Joseph Orozco
Other pieces by Rhoby Cook
Rating Summary
3 comments
Karen Michel
Posted on June 03, 2005 at 07:18 AM | Permalink
Review of Dying for Water: Indians, Politics and Dead Fish in the Kla
A refreshing approach to a story that needs telling.
The host/narrator slips from outside to inside
with ease: sometimes telling us, sometimes
commenting on what someone else said, occasionally
giving his take. The break in that fourth wall
works well. Good mix of voices, music used
sparsely for sweetening (though the choices of music
sometimes perplexed me). The doc starts out
just a bit preachy, but at least lets me know
that this is not an "outside about" but an "inside
about": that I shouldn't expect multiple facets.
Makes me want to hear more from the producer/s.
Good tech, too.
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on May 31, 2005 at 03:34 PM | Permalink
Review of Dying for Water: Indians, Politics and Dead Fish in the Klamath River Basin
This is a great piece of work. The piece isn't just another environmental documentary. "Dying For Water" weaves cultural stories, myth, history, science and even Scotland into this sound rich tapestry. The interviews are authentic and intriguing. Great voices and there is humor as well. Not your usual fare when talking about endangered species. I love the traditional singing though I had trouble with the sound level of the singer/guitarist. She probably would have been better miked further away. It was a bit off putting. The host grew on me. At first I found him intrusive after hearing these great textured voices and wonderful archival reports from Native America Calling. But after a while I got used to his casual and friendly delivery. I just wanted him to link the other voices and topics more and follow the mood of the documentary more. Still great stuff and highly recommended. Stations in the Northwest and California should really take a listen to this piece. Salmon is one of our very pertinent concerns and this exploration by Hoopa Tribal Radio is a contender.
Todd Melby
Posted on May 18, 2005 at 06:52 AM | Permalink
Review of Dying for Water: Indians, Politics and Dead Fish in the Klamath River Basin
I wasn't prepared to like this piece. Since it was co-produced by Hoopa Tribal Radio, I assumed it would be one-sided and preachy in its telling of the story of an environmental disaster: The killing of 68,000 Chinook Salmon in the Klamath River Basin. While this documentary does indeed present only a single point-of-view, it's not at all preachy. But enough about my preconceptions. The focus should really be on this documentary. So, here goes: The production values are very high. There's a great mix of music, voices and natural sound. It's thoughtful and effective. The narrator is down-to-earth, easy to listen to and very non-NPR (and that's a great thing!). And most important, the content does a great job of telling the listener why the Chinook Salmon are so important to the tribal people in the area. Elders, anthropologists and tribal leaders explain the importance of the historical and cultural importance of salmon, but an average guy, about 19 minutes into this doc, says it best: "The salmon. That's our life ... We live in an area with 90 percent unemployment. Fish is what we eat in the winter time." And then there's this at about 23 minutes: "Fish can't live without water." OK. That's obvious enough. But wait. The government disagrees. At a public meeting, a federal official from the Bureau of Reclamation told a crowd, "We have no scientific proof that fish really do need water." Huh? It's an amazing, funny moment. It draws you in. And you want to learn more about the topic. Many programmers may be reluctant to air this piece in places far from Northern California, but this story --- the fight over water and the importance of natural resources to tribal people --- is universal.