Water merchants
Drinking water, most precious of all, has become a commodity delivered to commercial issues. On the occasion of World Water Day, "Thema" investigates the foreseeable consequences of this privatization.
http://www.arte.tv/fr/programmes/242,da ... /2011.html
Presentation in the world:
"Water Makes Money": the business of water management in charge
Water management is the subject of a business with colossal financial stakes. The documentary Water Makes Money, directed by Leslie Franke and Herdolor Lorenz, scheduled on Arte Tuesday March 22, at 20:40 pm, in a "Thema" evening entitled "Marchands d'eau" (and which hits theaters on Wednesday), takes us to the heart maneuvers by multinationals controlling this sector.
The powerful Veolia and Suez groups have been delegated, to 80%, the management of water supply in France. Result: the consumer finds himself subject to private interests, which do not concern his health or the future of the planet.
The film shows how the big companies have raised the price of drinking water with impunity. It took the relentlessness of a chartered accountant to uncover the schemes which led the inhabitants of certain municipalities, notably Bordeaux, to pay 30% to 40% more for their water than elsewhere. Profits which are only rarely reinvested in maintenance or sanitation.
Leslie Franke and Herdolor Lorenz notably met a dissident from Veolia, Jean-Luc Touly. This trade unionist, dismissed and then reinstated by his company, is the author of hot books, which earned him a slew of lawsuits. The film supports his claims: bribe practices to obtain markets, culpable acquaintances with the public sphere…
This disturbing film was funded half by private contributions, collected through a subscription launched on the Internet. Today, it is the subject of a defamation attack by Veolia.
Pauline Grand d'Esnon
http://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/ ... _3234.html
To review on Arte + 7 for 7 days: http://videos.arte.tv/fr/videos/water_m ... 75756.html