Upstream Battle

Upstream Battle

Directed by Ben Kempas
Produced by Joachim Schroeder
Native Americans against an energy corporation. Will they trigger the largest dam removal ever?

Videos

Trailer

Overview

Genre
Human Rights, Environment, Minorities, Politics, and Social Issues
Synopsis

A coalition of Native Americans battle to force the removal of dams owned by billionaire Warren Buffett that have devastated the salmon population on California's Klamath River. The hydro-power dams contributed to one of the worst fish die-offs in U.S. history and continue to turn the water into a toxic soup. 'If the fish are sick, we're sick,' says Merv George of the Hoopa Tribe. To rescue their river and save their culture, Merv and his combatants first travel to Scotland, then to the richest man in the United States. The dam owners praise hydro power as a low-cost, climate-friendly source of energy, a valuable resource they say they couldn't afford to lose. Yet, the tribes may soon trigger the largest dam removal project in history.

Treatment
Show treatment
Stage
finished
Running time
97, 59 or 52 minutes

Credits

Production Details

Prod. Co.
Preview Production GbR
Country
Germany
Years of Production
2005-2008
Locations
Northern California, Oregon, Scotland, Nebraska
Prod. Partners
FilmFernsehFonds Bayern

Distribution Details

Release year
2008
Festivals
Toronto International Film Festival 2008, Munich Dok.Fest 2008, Woodstock 2008, Reykjavik 2008, Hawaii 2008, Stranger Than Fiction NYC 2009, Big Sky Montana 2009, Belfast 2009, One World Prague 2009, Thessaloniki 2009, IFF Boston 2009, Nashville 2009, etc
Awards
Grand Jury Prize (Environmental Film) at the Santa Cruz Film Festival, Human Rights Award (OSCE) at the Dokufest in Kosovo, Best Environmental Film at IFF "Water, Sea & the Oceans" in the Czech Republic, Nomination for the Al Gore Reel Current Award
Broadcast (Prod.)
ARTE, Bayerischer Rundfunk
Broadcast (Acq.)
Al Jazeera, Czech Television
Language
English

Photos

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