Monday, April 2, 2012

DESALATION

REVIEW OF SELECTED AM DOCS FILM

the salton sea just south of palm springs

is california's largest body of water - over 360sq miles

it was created by mistake when the colorado river flooded

dumping tons of water into the large area

- which is below sea level

developers made big plans and june eilers

was there from the beginning to watch the place grow

- grow into southern california's great getaway destination

swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing

- it was just one great big beach party in the desert

hollywood stars fell for it

then they discovered something - it started to dry up

there's nothing to keep the water refreshed and replenished

except for rainfall, but...

it rains just a little more than 3 inches per year in the desert

not good

the film: a salton soul by greg balkin and mike agnew

intermingles the touching nostalgic journey of june's life 

and how she loves the beauty of the area and the salton sea

- with clips from promotions about the new oasis

mixed with shots of the dead fish and the brown water

the film screening sunday night at the first annual


showed the potential this area had

and some of the incredible beauty that still remains

the salton sea is dying and not much is currently being

done - or discussed, to save it

as june says, 'it's up to the people that live there

- what they want to do with it...'

but from the looks of things... soon

the salton sea will become just a great salt lake

THE AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES THROUGH THURSDAY IN PALM SPRINGS