Dirty Waters

Discovering the filthy truth about the future of the Baltic Sea.

 

In this film, we focus on the link between enormous animal farms and eutrophication. The film expose how untreated sewage from farms ended up in the Baltic Sea, contributing to dead sea beds, the size of Denmark. As a result of the documentary – measures were taken to improve manure treatment at several farms.

Algae blooms, dead sea beds – the Baltic Sea is suffering. Slimy and disgusting algae have become a daily problem for holidaymakers along the Baltic shores. Industrial emissions and untreated municipal sewage water have over the last century left the sea suffocated. This is common knowledge and efforts are being made to cope with the problem. However, something quite appalling is about to happen, something that is not as widely known.

Giant animal farms are emerging around the Baltic Sea. The EU has decided to make agriculture more efficient in Poland. Russia is to become a self-sufficient meat producer. Multinational food companies are establishing themselves around the Baltic. A large pig farm pollutes as much a small town. But, in contrast to a municipality, there is no or insufficient sewage treatment. And there are thousands of farms being established in the region. The hunger for meat is turning the Baltic into a giant cesspool of animal poop. Agricultural and environmental policies are on a collision course. Industry versus the environment.

In this film, the beautiful landscapes of Europe and Russia stand in stark contrast to scientific warnings, to people who are affected and the corporations feathering their nests. For the first time, the people around the Baltic Sea will get this complex situation explained, learn about possible solutions and actions and hear from the politicians responsible.

From the makers of award-winning documentary For Cod’s Sake comes the second film in the series about the Baltic Sea. Dirty Waters. A revelation of the new unknown threat to the Baltic Sea.

Producer/Director Folke Rydén
Co-director Ulrika Björkstén
Title Dirty Waters / Vårt grisiga hav
Length 1 x 28/52/58 minutes
Release 2011

 
 


2012 The Special Prize of Prince Rainier III, Monte-Carlo Television Festival

2012 Special Jury Award, WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival

2011 Folke Rydén and Ulrika Björkstén nominated to the Environmental Journalist of the Year Award.

 

Vårt grisiga hav – the Swedish version of Dirty Waters (58 minutes)

Animations from Dirty Waters (1 min 9 seconds)

Spin-off. Baltic Sea Waste Campaign (17 minutes)