#daveregos

[ecomstock11-blog]

You're Banning my RIGHT to Water?!?

The documentary ‘Divide in Concord’ was a riveting story following a lovely women who was fighting for the banning of plastic water bottles to be sold in the town limits of Concord, Massachusetts. The battle between what was sustainable for the environment and the ‘right to the access of water’ continued on throughout the film. 84 year old, Jean Hill, fought alongside Jill Appel to protect the environment against this extremely wasteful product. While Hill fought her many battles against the town board to ban the sale of this product many people fought against her. Claiming that they have a right to purchase water however they please and that banning the sale of plastic water bottles would be an infringement upon their constitutional right. Hill battled her way through this talk and tried to reassure people that this was the right choice and that there would still be water available for the public. Towards the end when Hill was losing faith in the publics’ desire to live sustainably many people stepped in to voice their opinion and support the cause. Quite a few local high school students brought in a whole new vantage point. Showing the world that anyone can make a difference with determination and desire, Hill eventually banned the sale of plastic water bottles in the town of Concord, Massachusetts. This wonderful story can empower people with a cause to never give up on fighting for the environment. We are the voice, and nature needs us to listen.

The director did a wonderful job and portraying the frustration that Jean Hill had experienced throughout her fight for her environmental cause. By breaking down the 3rd wall barrier in the film and allowing Hill to talk directly to camera, not just when there was an interview but whenever she felt like she had to say something. People were engulfed in Hill’s world and her passion for her cause. I did not enjoy the women who were fighting against Hill throughout the film, Adriana Cohen. The way she was portrayed was very snobby and as if everything she was, was only because she was on camera. This could be who she personally was and there director was just exposing this. Or she was portrayed this way to help people support Hill in her cause. Other than that I love how much the film helped the viewer’s dive into the town of Concord, MA.

[mhellner-blog]

Water you waiting for?

The movie Divide in Concord had one call to action, this was to stop buying single serving water bottles, and to start using refillable water bottles. Normally in these kinds of movies you will witness interviews with scientists telling you that this is a problem, and show dramatic shots of island of plastic in the Pacific.  This movie was different, it followed the journey of an older lady who was dead set on making a difference in her town.  Instead of just talking about the problem, she attended the town meetings and acquired signatures in the hopes that she could get bottled water banned in her town of Concord.  I think this is such a simple thing too, all the people against this law were talking about how plastic is so much better. But guess what... its not. Nalgene's are going for about $10 a bottle right now, compared to buying a $1 water bottle everyday, that sounds like a lot of saving.  Oh and you never have to pay someone again for that bottle, it's yours forever.  It takes zero effort to fill the water bottle up each day, or even every time you pass a water fountain.  It's all about convenience I guess, "I want this now, and ill pay whatever it takes."  I see reusable water bottles as a bigger convenience then the non reusable ones.  Anyways.  The director used a lot of interviewing and following the main character around to show you her journey.  I personally would not have made any changes to thuis movie.