FILMSEMINAR: También la lluvia (Even the Rain)

Directed by Icíar Bollaín, Spain 2010
(Spanish with English subtitles)

From the 1990s onwards many countries in Latin America underwent a process of privatization of public services, including sale of industry and business to private enterprises. Thus, the century old colonization of the continent continued; this time by powerful multinational companies.

Privatization of water is happening all over the world today and, again, it is the people with the least resources who are paying the bill. The UN has recognized that “water is indispensable for leading a life in human dignity”, but water is increasingly being treated as a commodity to be sold for profit. As an example of this; the world’s largest water enterprise – Veolia Environment – posted more than EUR 23 billion in revenue in 2014.

Icíar Bollaín’s picture tells the story about a movie director who is going to make a film – on location in Bolivia – about the arrival of the Spaniards to Latin America, but then gets mixed up in social justice issues, including the right to water, in the country. As the reviewer in The Guardian commented on the plot “The makers of the movie-within-the-movie are themselves continuing the very exploitation of natives that Columbus introduced.”

Hans Egil Offerdal, UiB, will give a short introduction to the movie and to water issues in Latin America.

Snacks and refreshments.

All are welcome!