The Pirate

A follow-up to the film The Aquanauts. The observation satellite Zenon has, on its own, left its assigned orbit and is refusing to send back vital data concerning the Earth's water reserves. Those in charge of the Research Centre that sent the satellite up are threatening to destroy this free and intelligent 'spirit' if Estelle, the scientist controlling it, cannot make her 'friend' see reason.

From a glimpse of the beautiful planet we inhabit, as seen by astronauts in outer space, this film moves in for a closer look at what we are doing to it. The film employs the multi-image technique to contrast scenes of natural grandeur--mountains, forests, and wildflowers filmed in Canada's national parks--with images such as the fouled rivers and despoiled countryside that result from the heedless exploitation of the natural environment. The challenge and the responsibility are plain for all to see. A film without words.

A hazardous mix of waste is flushed into the sewer every day. The billions of litres of water - combined with unknown quantities of chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, human waste and food - where does it all go? And what does it do to us? From ancient times, countries have chosen the sewer to get rid of household and industrial waste, yet the contaminants we flush resurface in our food chain. Fish swim through waste water dumped into rivers, while sewage sludge is spread on farmland as fertilizer. Filmed in Italy, India, Sweden, the United States and Canada, this bold documentary questions whether the sewer is actually compounding our waste problems. While scientists warn of links between sewage practices and potential health risks, activists, engineers and concerned citizens challenge our fundamental attitudes to waste. Does our need to dispose of waste take precedence over public safety? What are the alternatives?