Oil & Water

Gr 9 Up—This exquisitely edited documentary focuses on two young men who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of the indigenous culture and the ecosystem of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Hugo Lucitante, a member of the Cofán tribe, spent years in the U.S. and graduated from a Seattle high school. The film follows Lucitante over the next several years as he returns home to the Amazon River basin, a dumping ground of toxic water and crude oil, where he, a community development leader, fights against the oil industry's land expansion and promotes education. His path crosses with David Poritz, a young American who has dedicated his life to preservation of the rainforest. Poritz's goal is to establish a company to certify oil as "fair trade." Both young men are focused, diligent, goal-oriented, and committed to their cause of saving the environment, and the film's mode of presentation renders it possible for viewers to perceive and appreciate these qualities. Not only are there glimpses into the Cofán way of life, there are gruesome scenes of oil waste pools, with commentary by scientists, and abundant opportunities to observe Lucitante and Poritz. They are true inspirations. An airy musical score complements the scenes, and there are inserts of delightful cartoonlike drawings to help tell the story.