“The American Southwest” Documentary Highlights Colorado River Crisis, Indigenous Perspectives
A latest documentary, “The American Southwest,” offers a stark look at the challenges facing the Colorado River, a vital water source for over 40 million people. The film, directed by Ben Masters and narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse, debuted in theaters on September 5 and is now available on major streaming platforms as reported by HuffPost.
A River Under Pressure
The documentary showcases the diverse wildlife that depends on the 1,450-mile-long Colorado River – including elk, trout, condors, and even jaguars – while simultaneously revealing the threats posed by drought, climate change, and overuse. Over the past two decades, the river has lost trillions of gallons of water according to HuffPost.
Indigenous Voice and Stewardship
A key element of “The American Southwest” is its inclusion of an Indigenous perspective, with Quannah Chasinghorse (Han Gwich’in and Sicangu/Oglala Lakota) providing narration. Chasinghorse emphasizes the importance of viewing humans as stewards of the land and water, rather than masters. She shared with HuffPost that in her Lakota culture, “mní wičhóni means ‘water is life,’” a sentiment she believes is shared across many cultures .
A Family-Friendly Call to Action
Described as a family-friendly wildlife movie according to the official website, the film not only highlights the beauty of the region and its wildlife – including beavers, elk, and condors – but also confronts the ecological impacts of dams and water overuse. “The American Southwest” advocates for better management of the river and encourages viewers to take action to conserve this unique region .
Where to Watch
“The American Southwest” is currently available on digital platforms and in select theaters. DVD and Blu-ray versions are also available for purchase .
More information about the film, including opportunities to support better river management, can be found on the official website: https://theamericansouthwest.film/. Further details about the film are available on IMDb https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36733529/ and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZBxEBiVysUOx-cxIq7phDzqQBwh3RUh3.
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