Documentary Production and Distribution News

"Rock the Boat" is a fun, high-energy and ultimately moving documentary that follows the 2008 unlikely tale of a group's 51-mile boating expedition down the notorious Los Angeles River. The waterway was channelized by the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding in Los Angeles. In an absurd act of civil disobedience, the group – led by local satirical writer George Wolfe – boated down the fenced-in waterway, hoping to have the EPA declare it navigable, so that it could gain protection under the Clean Water Act.

Wild & Scenic’s Creative Director Shana Maziarz says audiences love Rock the Boat because “it tells the story of one man’s ordinary relationship with an extraordinary river. Given the circumstances of the LA River, George Wolfe’s simple act of boating the LA River becomes a political movement, which leads to changes in federal policy and opens up public access to the long-neglected waterway. This film tells the story with wit and aplomb, sheds light on the ridiculous, and reminds us that we all have the power to do what we know is right.”

The policy change referred to here is the July 7, 2010 classification of the Los Angeles River as a navigable river, making it eligible for federal protection and for funding under the Clean Water Act. The Los Angeles Times quotes U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson : "This is a watershed as important as any other. So we are going to build a federal partnership to empower communities like yours. We want the L.A. River to demonstrate how urban waterways across the country can serve as assets in building stronger neighborhoods, attracting new businesses and creating new jobs."

Since that time, LA has also become one of seven cities chosen for a Urban Waters to revitalize polluted urban rivers. The program is called the Urban Waters Federal Partnership and it works with President Barack Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative.

WSFF is the first festival at which Rock the Boat has screened. Says director Thea Mercouffer: “I’m thrilled at the reaction to the film on our first showing, particularly at such a respected festival. I can’t wait to share it with audiences everywhere, and to use it as an educational tool via schools and libraries.”

“What a delightful film!” praises acclaimed PBS Author/Filmmaker/Producer (Affluenza) John de Graaf. “At a time when the messages of so many documentaries are decidedly pessimistic, Rock the Boat offers a positive and inspiring story of a small group of committed people whose actions, playful and smart, are forcing the government to clean up and restore the LA River. This funny, informative film moves at a clip and leaves viewers drying their eyes, standing to cheer, and ready to hit the streets (or rivers) to save something else. Don't miss it! Five stars out of five!”





Resources:

www.rocktheboatfilm.com