From Canadian filmmaker Kevin McMahon comes Waterlife — a cinematic survey of the state of the Great Lakes in Canada and the United States. Holding one-fifth of the world’s fresh water, the Great Lakes are, as McMahon puts it, “home to 35 million lucky people in a thirsty world.”
In his aquatic exploration, McMahon tours the waters, the ecology and the environmental challenges of the lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. The feature-long documentary reveals how the lakes shape the lives of those living on their shores and how individuals, industries and invasive species subsequently transform these vast bodies of water.
McMahon spoke with Circle of Blue about his film, the Great Lakes and the world fresh water crisis.
Kevin McMahon talks about Waterlife after its debut at the 2009 Traverse City Film Festival in July. Video by Aaron Jaffe for Circle of Blue.
