The Water Front

The Water Front is a compelling socio-political documentary released in 2007. This critically appreciated film is directed and produced by Liz Miller, who brings forward an intimate and thought-provoking exploration of the fundamental human right to water. She masterfully captures the escalating conflict between residents and corporate interests in Highland Park, Michigan.

Set against the backdrop of an economically depressed Highland Park, the film opens with a startling revelation that nearly half of the city’s residents cannot afford to pay for their water supply. The city relies on the water supply from the Detroit River, but as the community struggles with a declining populace and crippling debts, it finds difficulty in paying to Detroit for its water. This situation leads to something near a humanitarian crisis, with locals stripped of a listing basic human right - access to clean, drinkable water.

Viewers see first-hand the appalling condition of these residents, many of whom are relentlessly battling for survival. Not only are they subjected to the devastating loss of jobs and economic security, but they are also conflicted with the severity of water shut-offs across the city. No one is safe from the adversity as it disrupts the lives of single parents, the elderly, and families alike, pushing the city further into a circle of misery and despair.

The protagonist of the movie is the indomitable community activist, Marian Kramer. Her strength and resilience are a beacon of hope in the community's struggle. Marian, a housing and welfare rights advocate, brings attention to this injustice, challenging the business-oriented approach of the city officials and private corporations towards an issue of human rights. Through rallies and demonstrations, she stirs the locals towards unity in a fight for water access, bringing a vital directedness to their scattered bouts of desperation.

Weaved as a gripping watershed story, The Water Front succeeds in highlighting a deep-seated systemic flaw. It discusses the critical issues of public ownership, private profit, and the basic right to water through the lives of people who are directly embroiled in the dispute. The film offers a critique of a system that is stubborn in its refusal to see water as a communal good rather than a commercial resource.

Miller's film hits a nerve as it moves audiences to reflect upon the values held high by society. It juxtaposes the residents' agony with the city government's calculated political moves, successfully revealing the troubling display of bureaucracy. The community's dispute for controlling water resources brings into focus underlying themes of poverty, governance, and racism, brilliantly stitching together individual narratives into a bigger, universal theme.

Even as it delves into the complexity of rights, resources and racial inequality, The Water Front, does not lose its resonance with the viewers. It provides substantial space to the human aspects of the story, valuing emotive connections. Scenes of residents receiving water shut-off notices are heart-wrenching, reminding viewers of the hardship and indignity experienced by the Highland Park community.

What truly distinguishes The Water Front is its dedication to presenting a raw and unbiased account of these events, allowing the audience to see the human impact behind the politicized struggle for water rights. The film uses its platform to give a voice to those who suffer in silence, subtly urging viewers to question their own complacency in systems that violate basic human rights.

The Water Front is a remarkable documentary with an emotionally charged commentary on society's irrefutable responsibility to protect the rights of its members. Striking a balance between utter despair and hopeful resistance, it prompts viewers to engage in socioeconomic dialogues often sidelined by mainstream media.

Through this movie, Liz Miller uses art as a conduit for change. By laying bare the magnitude of the water crisis in an American city, she hints at similar situations, potential or existing, in neglected corners of the globe. The Water Front is much more than a cautionary tale; it is a plea for justice and a call for institutional reform to guarantee basic human rights, and in essence, human dignity for all.